Aidan Chan

Aidan Chan is an Irish-Chinese pianist and RCM Scholar at the Royal College of Music, where his PhD research, supervised by Dr Maiko Kawabata (RCM) and Dr Broderick Chow (Central School of Speech and Drama), explores how diasporic identity is constructed, embodied, and articulated through multidisciplinary artistic performance. Inspired by his Hakka heritage, his practice research draws on themes of abjection, corporeality, and cultural hybridity to examine how the diasporic body and performance - both artistic and social - shape and inform each other. 

Described as “fearless and uncompromising,” Aidan has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the US (Carnegie Hall), UK (Wigmore Hall), Hong Kong, France, Switzerland, China, and across Ireland. As a concerto soloist, he has appeared with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra (giving the Irish premiere of John Adams’ Eros Piano in 2024), the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Budweis, and the TUD Sinfonia. Aidan has been a frequent prizewinner in competitions across Europe, and was recipient of the 2023 RDS Music Bursary, the most prestigious Western classical music award in Ireland. 

Aidan is passionate about performing music by contemporary composers, having commissioned and premiered Knuckleduster (2021) and torn, to the ground, exhausted, sobbing (2024) by Alex Ho, as well as Polygon by Delyth Field (2022) and Reflections and Refractions by Philip Hammond (2023). Described as an “innovative programme planner,” he places a strong emphasis on thematic exploration in performance. His master’s graduation recital examined the reconstruction and deconstruction of tradition, incorporating elements of sean-nós singing, improvisation, and poetry from Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s Dictée. 

Aidan obtained a Master of Music degree with distinction from the RCM under Professors Nigel Clayton and Andrew Zolinsky, having also completed his undergraduate studies there with first class honours. He undertook a residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in 2024.  

Upcoming performances in 2025 include the world premiere of Alex Ho’s 3 Chinese Myths and his concerto debut with the National Symphony Orchestra in Ireland. 

Photo: Frances Marshall Photography