Nicole Robinson

At 7 years old, she began studying the piano. When she was 12, she accepted a scholarship to the Shenyang Music Conservatory’s pre-college division. At the age of 22, she took first place at the 2005 Cleveland International Piano Competition and was a finalist in the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

And at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Chu-Fang Huang, with her head bowed and fingers swiftly flying over the ivory piano keys, played to a captive audience in Gantner Concert Hall in Haas Fine Arts Center.

“I figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a world-renowned pianist,” said senior Courtney Gansmann.

Huang has played in venues around the world including the Kennedy Center in Washington., Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

She started in smaller venues and gradually began to perform in larger and more prestigious locations, Huang said.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” she said. “It’s a pity I couldn’t be here longer.”

Huang’s Eau Claire appearance was the second concert in a three-day period culminating in her first-time performance at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Huang, a native of China, said she began the craft when her father taught her basic elementary studies. When she began school, Huang said she became bored.

“I got into trouble,” she said. “They decided to give me something (to do) to be busy.”

Fifteen years later, Huang said there are times when she wants to quit playing.

“It’s hard to stick with anything – let alone a piano that doesn’t feel anything,” she said.

Huang’s repertoire for Tuesday included an appearance by the Eau Claire string quartet, Artaria, for a Schumann piece.

“It’s been a great experience (performing with strings),” Huang said.

Freshman Lindsay Rossmiller went to see Huang perform at the insistence of her one of her friends.

“They said it would be a good performance, so I decided to check it out,” she said. “Dr. (Namji) Kim said she was going to be phenomenal.”

As for Huang’s performance, “I like it a lot,” Rossmiller said.

Gansmann said Huang’s performance was very engaging, especially because she is a physical performer, which makes the event fun to watch.

Huang said she believes her expressions help the audience engage in the piece.

“It’s easier to see ‘Oh, this is the sad part. Oh, this is happier,’ ” she said.

Huang said she plans to continue touring until she gets older. Her goals include a performance for British royalty.

“I really would love to play at (the Royal) Prom for the Queen,” she said.

Gansmann expressed complete praise for the event, even after the first piece of the five-piece set.

“I think it’s absolutely amazing,” Gansmann said of Huang’s talent. “After the first piece, the word that came to my mind was virtuosic.”