Cheah Chan Duo

Since its début in 2009, Cheah Chan Duo has garnered acclaim for its electrifying concerts of uniquely curated thematic art song programs. Lauded by Time Out New York for its “restlessly inquisitive” performances, the Duo has become a mainstay of the New York musical scene with performances at The National Opera Center, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Tenri Cultural Institute, Cornelia Street Café, North of History, Church of St. Luke in the Fields, St. Bartholomew's Church, and Symphony Space. Notable performances have included a retrospective recital at the historic Victoria Theatre in Singapore; a featured performance at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia as part of the 1917: How One Year Changed the World exhibition; a 90th birthday tribute concert to Ned Rorem with the composer in the audience; an evening devoted to the music of Frank J. Oteri, featuring the world première of the ASCAP Foundation Charles Kingsford Fund commissioned song cycle Versions of the Truth (composed expressly for the Duo); the commemoration of the First World War centenary; a literary-themed concert for National Poetry Month; a recital in honor of the bicentenary of Walt Whitman; two celebrations of Pride Week with LGBT composers and poets; a Lunar New Year concert exploring Chinese composers and their influences; a celebration of Juneteenth with an all-African American program; and a Time Out New York-featured program of British art songs.

A strong advocate for new and rarely performed music, the Duo has also performed works by Chris Cresswell, Jonathan David, Drew Hemenger, Jennifer Higdon, Steve Holtje, Laura Kaminsky, Gilda Lyons, Meredith Monk, Frank J. Oteri, Joe Rubenstein, Karen Siegel, René Silva, Martha Sullivan, and Dennis Tobenski, several of which were world or US premières. The Duo can be heard in an upcoming recording of art songs by Jonathan David on the Centaur label with King Songs, a song cycle written especially for them.