11-year old pianist Andrew Guo, a Chicago native, is the first prize recipient of 2005 Music Festival in Honor of Confucius Competition, 2006 Society of American Musicians Competition, 2009 Steinway Young Artist Competition, and the youngest winner of 2007 Walgreen National Concerto Competition. The judges of the Walgreen National Concerto Competition praised Andrew’s performance of Beethoven’s first piano concerto as “a memorable performance” and Andrew as having “fine music taste”, “a great potential for insightful musicality”, and “a high intellect”.

Andrew’s interest and talent in music were shown at an early age. At age 18-month Andrew asked “more” after he heard a classic music while riding in the car with his mother. When the teacher of his Kindermusik class asked a room of two-year olds what song they wanted to listen Andrew responded “Beethoven’s fifth symphony!” His birthday gift to his mother at age 4 was a music that he improvised at piano. Andrew began piano lessons at age 4. In one year his repertoire transformed from Mary Had a Little Lamb to including Beethoven’s 20th piano sonata. Andrew gave his first solo recital at age 6 and began to win first prize of every solo piano competition he entered at age 7.

A frequent concert performer since age 5, Andrew’s solo recital at age 7 helped to raise thirty-thousand dollars for the Josselyn Mental Health Center. Andrew has performed at Music Institute of Chicago’s 2007 Gala honoring Leon Fleisher, the 2009 Valentine Concert at Music in the Loft, and 2009 Benefit Concert for Mr. Emilio del Rosario, among others. His performance at 2008 Grand Park Music Festival received a long lasting standing ovation.

In addition to being a pianist, Andrew is also a composer. He began composition lessons at age 5. When music ideas come to his mind, Andrew would get up in the middle of the night to compose. Andrew composes in both classic and contemporary styles.

Andrew is currently studying piano with Meng-Chieh Liu, a faculty member of Curtis Institute of Music, and composition with Mathew Hagle at Music Institute of Chicago. Andrew was a former student of Emilio del Rosario for four years.

Besides music Andrew enjoys reading history books, attending his math club and science cafe, riding bike, drawing cartoons, playing ping-pong, and studying chess.

updated: November 14, 2009