Dr. Susan Shao-Shan Liu, a veteran music instructor at Laredo Community College, is a brilliant pianist and composer whose talents have shined on several stages from Laredo to the Big Apple.
Last weekend, Liu received praises for her performance as the featured concerto piano soloist during the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra concert at LCC’s Martinez Fine Arts Center.
During the winter holidays, Liu was invited to perform in a global gala in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
For three days before a full house of 5,000 in attendance, Liu performed a song she wrote for a quartet in which she played a traditional Chinese music instrument known as the Gu-cheng.
The Gu-cheng, Liu said, is a vertical 21-string harp with a history dating back to 3,000 years ago.
“The harp was originally seven strings, but through the years, more strings have been added to perfect its sound,” Liu explained.
Those who attended the Chinese gala affair also had an opportunity to listen to several songs composed by Liu for featured dance groups in the show.
Born in Taiwan in the Republic of China, Liu is proud of her heritage, but she also is an innovator in the use of state-of-the-art music technology.
This spring, after returning from New York, Liu has shared information about some of the concert hall’s modern advancements with students in a computer/electronic music class at LCC.
An expert in digital audio/recording technology, Liu used her knowledge and skills to help the college establish a computer/electronic music laboratory.
Dr. Joseph Crabtree, chair of the LCC Music and Dance Department, said that Laredo area music students are fortunate to have access to such a high quality facility.
“The computer/electronic music laboratory in the Martinez Fine Arts Center at LCC is regarded as one of the top three in the southern half of the United States,” Crabtree said. “This facility would not have been a reality without the valuable guidance and expertise of Dr. Susan Liu.”
Liu began playing piano at age 7 and attended music preparatory school from elementary until high school.
While piano is her primary instrument, Liu also has played the oboe, harp and the Gu-cheng.
Liu has plans to introduce this ancient music instrument to Laredoans during a special recital next fall.
Liu holds a master degree of music in piano performance from the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and a DMA in piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
She has been teaching and performing piano in the Austin, Houston and Dallas areas for many years; her students have received many high honors and praises in competitions.
Liu also is a commissioned composer for TV and radio stations and has extensive knowledge in computer multimedia design.
Dr. Liu has been a member of the LCC Music and Dance Department since 1999. She teaches applied piano, piano class, and computer/electronic music classes.
For more information about music instruction at LCC, call 721-5330.
Dr. Susan Shao-Shan Liu
LCC Music Instructor
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443