Education
- D.M., Doctor of Music, Indiana University, 2009
- M.M., Master of Music, University of Arizona, 2003
- B.M., Bachelor of Music, Taipei National University of Arts, 1999
Biography
Fan-Fen Tai has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music since 2010. Originally from Taiwan, she studied with Sophie Clavel, Carrol McLaughlin, and Susann McDonald.
Tai is the recipient of prizes, including the Laureate Prize at the First Vera Dulova International Harp Competition in Moscow, the top prize and “People’s Choice” of the Travel Grant Competition from Indiana University, First Prize of Taipei Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and First Prize at The First Taiwan Harp Competition. She is also the winner of Indianapolis Matinee Musicale, and President’s Competition of University of Arizona.
Tai has performed as a soloist with Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Asian Youth Orchestra, University of Arizona Orchestra, and Indiana University Singers and Orchestra. As an avid chamber musician, she advocates and promotes new chamber works for harp and violin. She commissioned and premiered composer Aaron Travers’ Three Dances and Vals for Susann, the latter as a tribute to her teacher Susann McDonald at the 10th USA International Harp Competition in 2016. She performed both pieces in the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong in 2017.
Tai loves to share her knowledge and passion in harp and muisc with her students and the general public. She has enjoyed working with students of all ages and levels, and promotes harp in elementary schools and local communities.