About

Fiona Zhiwen Liu is a composer, pianist, and music director based in New York City whose work bridges the worlds of Eastern and Western music. Drawing from her multicultural upbringing and lifelong passion for storytelling through sound, her music blends the intricate structures of Western classical music with the meditative and fluid qualities of traditional Chinese influences. Her works often explore themes of spirituality, memory, identity, and resilience, creating deeply personal musical landscapes that resonate across cultures and disciplines.

Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Composition at New York University, Liupreviously studied composition at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She has studied with composers including Michael Daugherty, Erik Santos, Bright Sheng, and Robert Honstein. Her works have been performed by ensembles including Rhythm Method and Imani Winds.

Liu’s work spans concert music, film scoring, and theater. She has scored original films and student projects, music directed productions including Spring Awakening, A Chorus Line, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, and worked as an assistant conductor and composer with the New Shanghai Orchestra. Her recent compositions, including the string quartet Remorse of Heart 心悔 and orchestral work Compassion’s Call inspired by Buddhist philosophy, reflect her fascination with contemplation, emotional transformation, and cultural fusion.

Beyond composition, Liu's artistic background includes immersive theater and interdisciplinary collaboration. She worked as an assistant stage manager for Sleep No More Shanghai, an experience that deeply shaped her approach to atmosphere, pacing, and storytelling. She has also taught music to children with special needs at the Shanghai Special Education School, reinforcing her belief in music’s ability to communicate across boundaries and create meaningful human connection.