Shun-Lin Chou

Dr. Shun-Lin Chou has appeared internationally in concerto, solo, and chamber performances. Declared "an artist of international stature" (Taiwan Times), who "shined at the piano ... effortlessly and flawlessly" (Schwäbische Zeitung, Germany), he has performed to critical acclaim as soloist with over a dozen orchestras in such prestigious venues as the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore, and the Eastman Theatre.  Dr. Chou has completed an around-the-world recital tour to Europe and Asia, with successful performances in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States.  An experienced chamber musician, Chou was a member of the Hawthorne Trio, the resident artist group at Missouri State University, and have collaborated with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in performances. An active adjudicator and clinician, Shun-Lin Chou has judged for numerous competitions from regional to national levels.  Locally, he has judged for various MTAC events, including Panel and Young Artist Guild finals and MTNA State and Division competitions.  Invitations to present master classes and lecture recitals have taken him to colleges and universities in Asia, Europe, and across the United States.  Most recently, he presented a Guest Artist Master Class at the 2024 MTAC State Convention. 

A dedicated teacher and leader in music organizations, he has served as MTNA Performance Competition state chair for California among others.   A multi-faceted artist, teacher and scholar, Chou recently presented a paper at an international symposium on Johannes Brahms entitled “Brahms’ Piano Idiom: Toward a New Virtuosity.”  His research in descriptive bibliography of printed music has led him to develop an avid interest in collecting nineteenth century scores. Dr. Shun-Lin "Sam" Chou currently serves as Director of Keyboard Studies and Professor of Piano at California State University, Long Beach.  He has also served in an administrative capacity as Associate Director of the Cole Conservatory since 2019.  Prior to joining the faculty at CSULB in 2003, he served as an associate professor of piano at Missouri State University. He has held various teaching posts at the Tunghai University international summer music festival in Taiwan, the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, the Preparatory Piano Laboratory Program at the University of Michigan, and the Eastman School of Music. Former students of Dr. Chou have won many competitions and achieved success in musical careers, including appointments to full-time university faculty positions in Asia and in the U.S. 

Chou earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and the prestigious Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music after being awarded a Graduate Fellowship, and received a Masters in Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree from the University of Michigan. His principal teachers include Nelita True, Louis Nagel and Reginald Gerig.  Chou studied medicine at the University of Chicago from 1988 to 1990.