
Haodong Wu, pianist
Born in Shanghai, China, Haodong Wu began studying the piano at age 6. She made her debut with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra playing the Haydn D Major Piano Concerto at age 9 and was selected as one of the only 5 candidates across China to study at the Elementary School affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music. During her study at the Shanghai Conservatory, Ms. Wu won competitions such as the “Zhu Jiang Cup” National Piano Competition, the “Gu Lang Yu” National Piano Competition, and the first prize of the Concerto Competition playing Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto at the Shanghai Conservatory.
At age 18, Ms. Wu was awarded a merit-based scholarship to study at the prestigious Mannes College of Music in New York City. She studied with Pavlina Dokovska, the chair of the Piano department, and later with Cristina Stanescu, the chair of the Collaborative Piano department. Ms. Wu was also awarded the Newton Swift Piano Award upon graduation, for excellence as a solo pianist as well as a collaborative pianist and a chamber musician.
During her study at Mannes, she has had master-classes with such renowned artists as Richard Goode, Vladimir Feltsman, Ann Schein, and with Peter Frankl at the “MusicFest” summer festival in Perugia, Italy. She has graced the stages of major New York City venues, including Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Club, Steinway Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, the Union Club, Neue Galerie, the German Consulate of New York, and the Polish Consulate of New York. Her performance of the Scriabin Piano Sonata No. 2, known as the “Sonata-Fantasy” was chosen by Robert Sherman and broadcast live on WQXR – the only station solely devoted to classical music in New York.


Highlights of Ms. Wu’s recent recordings include her recordings of composer Robert Cuckson's solo piano works and the premiere of Louis Karchin’s Two Sacred Songs with soprano Marisa Karchin, presented by the American Composers Alliance. Her recent performance highlights include a recital debut at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall with soprano Marisa Karchin as winners of the Joy In Singing International Art Song Competition, as well as solo appearances with the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra playing Grieg’s Piano Concerto and the Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra playing Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto.
In addition to her performance work, Ms. Wu has enjoyed an active career as an educator. She has served on the faculty of the Westchester Conservatory of Music from 2012-2020, and she currently maintains a large private teaching studio of more than 25 students.