Once Upon a Piano, There Were Four Hands
Tales of New Beginnings, Wonder, and Remembrance
Strings on the Bay
Besse Center Theatre
Join Amy I-Lin Cheng, Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and a rising young artist for an evening of piano music featuring works for solo piano and piano four hands—two performers sharing one keyboard in a uniquely intimate musical collaboration.
Highlights include Mozart’s Sonata in C Major, K. 521, a radiant and joyful work that pays tribute to the series’ inaugural concert in 1968, and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, a richly imaginative retelling of five beloved fairy tales through music.
This performance is dedicated to the memory of Rob Conway, a cherished and longtime contributor to this concert series, whose artistry and presence left a lasting legacy. Rob passed away in July 2025, and this concert pays tribute to Rob through new beginnings, wonder, and remembrance.
Strings on the Bay
Besse Center Theatre, Bay College, 2001 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829
(906) 217-4040, events.baycollege.edu
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Born in Taiwan, pianist Amy I‑Lin Cheng is widely recognized not only for her expressive artistry but also for her deep commitment to teaching the next generation of musicians. A dedicated educator, she has built a distinguished career working with pianists and chamber musicians across the United States and abroad. Amy has given masterclasses throughout the U.S., Brazil, Taiwan, and Germany, guiding both college and pre‑college students with the same warmth, rigor, and musical insight that define her own performances. Her university students have earned top prizes in MTNA chamber competitions, solo and concerto competitions, and have gone on to graduate programs, summer festivals, and faculty positions in the U.S. and internationally.
Amy’s passion for nurturing young musicians extends beyond the university setting. She has taught at summer festivals, worked with youth chamber ensembles, and served on the faculties of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts in Massachusetts and the Community Music School of Ann Arbor. She currently maintains a small but devoted private studio in Ann Arbor, where she is known for her thoughtful mentorship and individualized approach.
A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale School of Music, and the New England Conservatory, Amy has held teaching positions at Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma City University. After joining the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance in 2012, she now serves as Assistant Professor of Music – Piano and Piano Chamber Music Coordinator, where she teaches studio piano, coaches chamber music, and continues to shape the artistic lives of young musicians with generosity, clarity, and imagination.