
YU-CHEN TSENG 曾郁程
BIO
Yu-Chen Tseng is a musical prodigy whose exceptional talent has been recognized both in Taiwan and internationally. Born in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, he began his musical journey at the age of 5, mastering the piano with astonishing speed. By the time he was 8, he added the violin to his repertoire, showcasing his natural aptitude for multiple instruments. His innate musicality, paired with an unyielding drive for excellence, propelled him to the forefront of Taiwan’s classical music scene at a young age.Yu-Chen’s academic journey took him to the prestigious National Taiwan University of Arts (NTUA), where he graduated in 2021 with a degree in Classical Violin Performance. Over the course of his studies, Yu-Chen became renowned for his ability to seamlessly transition between classical violin and jazz piano, mastering both with unparalleled technical precision and expressive depth. His exceptional talent allowed him to excel in two distinct musical worlds, a feat few musicians can achieve, making him one of the most versatile and dynamic performers of his generation.
In 2021, Yu-Chen graduated with a degree in Classical Violin Performance from the National Taiwan University of Arts (NTUA), where he refined his technical and interpretive violin skills. His ability to excel both as a classical violinist and as a jazz pianist positioned him as an artist of extraordinary range and versatility. His remarkable adaptability between the two instruments allowed him to forge a unique musical identity that blends tradition and innovation in ways that few can match.
In 2022, Yu-Chen took his musical journey to New York to pursue a Master’s degree in Jazz Piano Performance at the prestigious Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College. Under the guidance of some of the most legendary figures in jazz, including Luis Perdomo, a Grammy Award-winning pianist, Antonio Hart, a Grammy-nominated saxophonist, David Berkman, a prominent jazz educator, and Michael Mossman, a celebrated jazz trumpeter and arranger, Yu-Chen refined his jazz technique while continuing to build upon his classical background.Yu-Chen's ability to effortlessly switch between violin and piano has made him a unique force in the music world. His dual mastery of these instruments has allowed him to explore new musical territories, drawing from the rich traditions of classical violin and blending them with the improvisational spirit of jazz piano. This remarkable ability to navigate between genres and instruments with such fluency has made him an extraordinary and sought-after artist, capable of bridging cultures and musical forms like few others.
In May 2023, Yu-Chen was invited to represent Taiwan at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York, an invitation that was both a testament to his artistic achievements and his growing prominence as an international cultural ambassador. During this event, Yu-Chen not only performed but also served as the arranger of his innovative jazz adaptations of Taiwanese folk classics.
These performances masterfully combined the beauty of Eastern melodies with the improvisational spirit of Western jazz, creating a unique fusion that captivated audiences from around the world. His work at TECO demonstrated not only his musical expertise but also his role as a cultural bridge, using music to foster deeper global connections to Taiwan.
In February 2024, Yu-Chen was invited by the world-renowned piano brand Steinway & Sons to perform a jazz piano solo at the prestigious JFK Airport in New York. His impromptu performance in the airport's grand hall captivated travelers and musicians alike, further showcasing his ability to engage and inspire audiences in unique and unexpected settings.Same year, Yu-Chen was invited by the Queens Botanical Garden to once again collaborate with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO-NY), participating as a special guest performer at the Taiwan Orchid Festival. During this event, he brilliantly combined jazz music with the theme of Taiwanese orchids, creating a performance that was met with widespread acclaim. His unique fusion of jazz and Taiwanese cultural elements captured the essence of both art forms, earning praise for its innovation and beauty.
2024 marked a significant milestone in Yu-Chen's career with the release of his debut jazz album, Gratitude Voyage: Embarking. This highly anticipated album has already taken the music world by storm, garnering rave reviews for its exceptional musicianship, innovative arrangements, and emotional depth. The album’s title, Gratitude Voyage, reflects Tseng's profound appreciation for his family and all those who have supported him throughout his journey. It is a powerful tribute to his roots, his mentors, and the many people who have been part of his musical odyssey.
The album features seven original compositions, each one a testament to Yu-Chen’s unrivaled musical intellect and his deep respect for both Eastern and Western musical traditions. Among the standout tracks is "Guan-Yin," an evocative piece inspired by the Buddhist deity Guanyin. This composition has garnered international acclaim for its exquisite blend of Eastern religious themes with the sophisticated harmonic language of Western jazz. "Guan-Yin" is being hailed as a modern jazz masterpiece, known for its profound emotional resonance and intricate musicality. The track exemplifies Yu-Chen’s ability to create a sound that is both timeless and cutting-edge, effortlessly bridging cultures and genres.
Throughout Gratitude Voyage: Embarking, Yu-Chen demonstrates his virtuosity as a pianist, with each track revealing his ability to marry technical precision with emotional depth. His performance style has been described as both forceful and spiritual, evoking a powerful response from audiences worldwide. Each note is meticulously crafted to communicate a rich emotional narrative, further establishing Yu-Chen Tseng as a leading innovator in contemporary jazz.
Yu-Chen’s extraordinary musical achievements, combined with his unique ability to transcend cultural boundaries, make him a rising star in the global music scene. His profound technical expertise, innovative compositions, and deep emotional expression have positioned him as one of the most exciting and influential musicians of his generation.曾郁程是一位音樂天才,他卓越的才華在台灣及國際間皆備受肯定。出生於台灣高雄市的他,在5歲時便開始學習鋼琴,並以驚人的速度掌握這門樂器。到了8歲,他又將小提琴納入學習範疇,展現出對多種樂器的天賦。他與生俱來的音樂性,加上對卓越的不懈追求,使他在年紀輕輕時便成為台灣古典音樂界的佼佼者。
曾郁程的學術旅程帶他進入了享譽盛名的國立臺灣藝術大學(NTUA),並於2021年取得古典小提琴演奏學位。在學習期間,他因能夠無縫轉換於古典小提琴與爵士鋼琴之間而廣受矚目,以無與倫比的技術精準度與表現力精通這兩門截然不同的音樂領域。
他的非凡天賦讓他能夠在這兩個音樂世界中游刃有餘,成為當代最具多才多藝與動態表現力的音樂家之一。
2022年,他前往美國紐約的亞倫·科普蘭音樂學院(Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College)攻讀爵士鋼琴演奏碩士學位,師從多位爵士界的傳奇人物,包括葛萊美獎得主Luis Perdomo(鋼琴家)、葛萊美提名薩克斯風手Antonio Hart、知名爵士教育家David Berkman,以及著名爵士小號手兼編曲家Michael Mossman。在這些大師的指導下,他進一步精進爵士技巧,同時拓展古典背景的音樂視野。
曾郁程能夠自由切換於小提琴與鋼琴之間,讓他在音樂界成為一股獨特的力量。他的雙重精通不僅讓他探索新的音樂疆域,也使他能夠將古典小提琴的精緻細膩與爵士鋼琴的即興精神完美融合。他流暢地遊走於不同流派與樂器之間,使他成為能夠連結文化與音樂形式的少數音樂家之一。
2023年5月,他受邀代表台灣在紐約台北經濟文化辦事處(TECO)演出,這不僅是對他藝術成就的肯定,更象徵著他在國際間的影響力持續攀升。當時,他不僅擔任表演者,也親自編曲,將台灣傳統民謠創新改編為爵士樂曲,將東方旋律的優雅與西方爵士的即興結合,打造出獨特的音樂風格,深深吸引來自世界各地的觀眾。他的表演展現了他音樂專業的深度,也證明了他作為文化橋樑的重要角色。
2024年2月,他受全球知名鋼琴品牌Steinway & Sons邀請,在紐約JFK機場舉行爵士鋼琴獨奏表演。他即興演出的震撼力不僅吸引了機場旅客與音樂愛好者,也再次證明了他的音樂魅力與感染力。
同年,他再度與紐約台北經濟文化辦事處(TECO-NY)合作,受邀於皇后區植物園(Queens Botanical Garden)的台灣蘭花節(Taiwan Orchid Festival)擔任特邀表演嘉賓。在這場演出中,他將爵士樂與台灣蘭花的主題結合,創造出一場別具匠心的音樂體驗,獲得廣泛好評。他的演出不僅富有創新精神,也巧妙捕捉了爵士樂與台灣文化的精髓,展現出獨特的藝術魅力。
2024年:音樂生涯的重要里程碑
2024年,他推出了個人首張爵士專輯《Gratitude Voyage: Embarking》(感恩之旅:啟航),這張專輯甫一發行便震撼樂壇,因其卓越的音樂性、創新編曲與深刻情感而獲得熱烈好評。
專輯名稱「Gratitude Voyage」反映了他對家人、師長及所有支持者的深深感謝,這張作品不僅是對他音樂歷程的致敬,更是對他的文化根源與人生旅程的真摯詮釋。
這張專輯收錄了七首原創作品,每一首都體現了他無與倫比的音樂智慧,以及他對東西方音樂傳統的深厚敬意。其中最受矚目的曲目之一是《Guan-Yin》(觀音),這首作品受到佛教觀音菩薩的啟發,以東方宗教意象結合西方爵士音樂的和聲語言,成為國際矚目的現代爵士經典。這首作品因其深刻的情感共鳴與精湛的音樂性而受到高度讚譽,完美展現了他將傳統與創新融合的能力。
在《Gratitude Voyage: Embarking》這張專輯中,曾郁程以精湛的鋼琴技巧和細膩的情感表達征服了全球樂迷。他的演奏風格被形容為既有力量又充滿靈性,每一個音符都精雕細琢,以傳遞豐富的情感故事,進一步奠定他在當代爵士樂壇的領軍地位。
曾郁程的非凡音樂成就,以及他獨特的跨文化音樂表現,使他成為全球樂壇最受矚目的新星之一。他的深厚技術功底、創新作曲能力以及深刻的情感表達,讓他在音樂界嶄露頭角,成為當代最具影響力的音樂家之一。
© 2024 Yu-Chen Tseng 曾郁程