Ming Fong 方明
Pianist, Educator & Festival Director
Fields of Study:
Piano Performance
Degrees and Studies:
MM, Rice University
BM, University of Kansas
Studies at Manhattan School of Music, Beijing Central Conservatory of Music
Biographical Information:
“His personable style belies his peerless keyboard technique… Fong mesmerized the nearly full house with a demeanor befitting an upcoming keyboard superstar…” — THE LINCOLN STAR
Born into a well-known musical family in Beijing, China, Ming Fong is one of the most active musicians of his generation in his native China. He has successfully given concerts in most of the major concert halls throughout China, including the National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing Concert Hall, Forbidden City Concert Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall, Shanghai Symphony Hall, Peking and Tsinghua University Concert Halls to name a few. Concert highlights include the acclaimed performance of Rachmaninoff's Second Concerto in the ten thousand-seat Great Hall of People with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra of Russia on its first historic visit to China and the China-premiere performance of Shostakovich's First Concerto with Beijing Symphony Orchestra. Other notable performances include concert tours appearing as a concerto soloist with Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin Symphony Orchestras, the Guangzhou Philharmonic, and the Harbin Opera House Orchestra in addition to numerous solo and chamber music concerts throughout mainland, China.
Mr. Fong has performed extensively in his adopted home in the United States, including solo recitals in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, and Steinway Hall in New York City; appearances at the Aspen Music Festival and Summit Music Festival; and concerto performance with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Hutchinson Symphony Orchestras, the Southeastern Music Center Orchestra and the Lawrence Chamber Players. While enjoying performing abroad in Canada, France, Australia, Japan, and China, his concert performances have been broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Educational Television of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the U.S., and the Chinese Central Television (CCTV) as well as radio stations in New York, Houston, and Kansas City. Passionate about supporting charitable causes, Mr. Fong has performed in Gala Benefit Concerts on the national stage for both the United Nations Association and the American Cancer Society.
In the year 2004, Ming Fong founded the Beijing International Music Festival & Academy (www.bimfa.org/cn) — the first and only international music festival of its kind in the historic Chinese capital. Each summer, BIMFA brings together established international performing artists and renowned pedagogues from around the world in a unique collaboration to promote “Cultural Harmony Through Music” for the benefit of the next generation of young musicians. In 2024, the festival reaches a milestone and celebrates its 20th anniversary held in various major cities in China. In addition, Mr. Fong is the founder and executive director of the New York International Music Festival & Competition (NYIMF) in residence at the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College, CUNY; and a founding member of the beloved and longest-running education program “A Day of Chinese Culture and Music” at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts for more than 15 years.
Ming Fong won the Grand Prize in the Edmund and Thelma Miller Young Artists' Competition, the First Prize in the Naftzger Young Artists' Auditions, and a top prize in the Kingsville International Piano Competition. He was also a finalist in the Pro Musicis International Award in the United States.
Mr. Fong currently resides in New York City where he also serves on the piano faculties of Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College CUNY, Music Conservatory of Westchester, and Third Street Music School Settlement. He travels frequently as a performer and a leader of international cultural exchange and cooperation between the United States and China.Office:
Music Building 335
Email:
Ming.Fong@qc.cuny.edu
Website:
https://www.bimfa.org/cn/