Dr. XinRu Chen
“It was notable for the fistfuls of notes played by Chen, her bravura execution nonchalantly achieved.” — The Guardian
A Life in Music
Appearing across Europe and China for her performance and research, Dr. XinRu Chen enjoys her life as a concert pianist and music scholar. Acquiring her PhD from the Royal Academy of Music at age 26, XinRu has performed in many prestigious halls in the UK, Finland, Ireland, Spain, Italy and China, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James's Piccadilly, Southwark Cathedral, Regent Hall, Duke's Hall, the Susie Sainsbury Theatre, and the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Her repertoire covers a wide range of romantic and contemporary music, recognised by the Janet Duff Greet Prize in the Christian Carpenter Competition. During the pandemic in 2020, XinRu led a series of experimental concerts at the Royal Academy of Music, live-streamed on the Academy website.
With her passion for music and piano, XinRu has given performances at many festivals across Europe, including the Petworth Festival, the Chipping Campden Music Festival, the Dartington Summer Music Festival, the III Festival International de Piano de Málaga, the Perugia International Piano Festival, and the Royal Academy of Music Summer Festival. As a soloist, she enjoys a broad range of concerto repertoire from the early classical to the late romantic period, cooperating with orchestras such as the Penzance Society Orchestra, the Ashdod Orchestra, and the Royal Academy of Music Student Orchestra. During her studies, XinRu worked with many renowned musicians, including Christopher Elton, Alexander Kobrin, Pascal Devoyon, Imogen Cooper, Dina Parakhina, and Joseph Banowetz.
Today, her music lives in three homes: XinRu Narrates — her ongoing series of storytelling with classical music; XinRu Piano — her online school, home of the Layered Piano Method™; and The Piano Cottage — her teaching studio in North London.
XinRu finished her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in 2019 under the tutorage of Professor Joanna MacGregor. In 2023, she acquired her PhD degree at the Academy, supervised by Professor Roderick Chadwick and Professor Christopher Elton.
Performance Achievements
- Performed in prestigious halls including St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James's Piccadilly, Southwark Cathedral, Regent Hall, Duke's Hall, and the National Concert Hall in Dublin
- Performed at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, broadcast live on BBC S4C
- Festival appearances across Europe: Petworth, Chipping Campden, Dartington, the III Festival International de Piano de Málaga, the Perugia International Piano Festival, and the Spoleto Festival
- Concerto soloist with the Penzance Society Orchestra, the Ashdod Orchestra, and the Royal Academy of Music Student Orchestra
- Led the Royal Academy of Music's experimental live-streamed concert series during the pandemic (2020)
Teaching Achievements
- Awarded ARAM — Associate of the Royal Academy of Music — for outstanding professional achievement (2025)
- LRAM teaching certificate from the Royal Academy of Music
- Creator of the Layered Piano Method™ — teaching learners from ages 4 to 80, at The Piano Cottage and online
- Piano masterclasses in Chongqing, China, and lecture recitals at the Bashu High School (2019)
- Students enjoy successes in ABRSM examinations and school music scholarships
What Students & Parents Say
“I cannot recommend XinRu highly enough! Her teaching skills are truly exceptional, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of how to communicate effectively. She has an incredible ability to demonstrate exactly what needs to be done, breaking down the most complex techniques into manageable steps. Her feedback is always precise and constructive. She knows how to pinpoint areas for improvement while maintaining a positive atmosphere, ensuring that the elegance of the piece can be brought out. Whether it's fine-tuning dynamics or perfecting phrasing, she offers clear guidance to combine musicality with individuality. XinRu has a genuine passion for music and teaching, and it shines through in every lesson. Her patience and dedication have made learning piano an absolute joy. I've grown so much under her instruction, and I'm grateful to have her as my teacher.”
“An exceptional teacher who is incredibly patient, considerate, and engaging with my 6 yo. Keeps her actively involved while providing thoughtful support and guidance post class.”
“XinRu is a very professional and friendly teacher. Her lesson is very productive and fun. She is also a great communicator. Her skill is very inspiring. Her studio is cosy and welcoming. I couldn't enough recommend her. She is a perfect teacher!”
“I cannot express enough how incredible my experience has been with XinRu — she is, by far, the best piano teacher I have ever had. Her passion for music is infectious, and it shines through in every lesson. Not only is she an exceptionally skilled pianist, but she also has a unique ability to break down complex concepts into simple, understandable steps. What truly sets her apart is her dedication to her students' growth. She is patient, encouraging, and tailors each lesson to my personal progress and goals. Her enthusiasm keeps me motivated, and I look forward to every lesson. I always leave feeling inspired and excited to keep learning. If you're looking for a piano teacher who genuinely cares about your development as a musician and fosters a deep love for music, I highly recommend XinRu. She has made my piano journey such a joy, and I am so grateful to have found her!”
“XinRu has been an outstanding music teacher for our 6-year-old son. Her professionalism, creativity, and patience stand out. Initially, our son had difficulty focusing, but XinRu's innovative teaching techniques quickly piqued his interest in music. She selects engaging and appropriate repertoire, making lessons enjoyable and effective. XinRu's understanding and adaptation to our son's learning pace have significantly contributed to his musical growth. We highly recommend XinRu to any parent looking for a music teacher who can truly inspire and motivate their child.”
Education & Awards
Education
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2019 – 2023PhDRoyal Academy of Music
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2018 – 2019MMus with DistinctionRoyal Academy of Music
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2014 – 2018BMus with First Class HonoursRoyal Academy of Music
Awards
- The Janet Duff Greet Prize in the Christian Carpenter Competition
- DipRAM at the Royal Academy of Music
- The Leverhulme Trust Undergraduate Scholarship
- The American Society for the Royal Academy of Music Scholarship
- The Marjorie McAdams Scholarship
- The Audience Prize in the St Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Competition with the ‘Amanzi Quartet’
- The Franz Reizenstein Prize in both 2018 & 2019 for general academic achievement
- The Arthur Hervey Scholarship for outstanding academic works
Learn Piano with Dr. XinRu
In person at The Piano Cottage in North London, or online anywhere in the world — method books, courses and free resources at XinRu Piano.