Dubbed by Singapore music reviewer Dr. Chang Tou Liang as having "a beautiful touch and an instinctive feel for the ebb and flow of the music that is admirable," Malaysian pianist Sean Gan establishes himself as a dedicated and probing musician. Driven by a curiosity for musical exploration, his musical tastes constitute a wide variety of styles, genres, and practices, including works of recent composers, such as Einojuhani Rautavaara. Seeking to mediate the complex interactions between art and its creators, Sean’s goals for innovative programming of a motley array of both canonic and non-canonic works aim to lead the listener into new discoveries on the innately universal aspects of music. Some of his significant achievements include joint first prize in the Artist Category of the 2021 National Piano & Violin Competition in Singapore, first prize in the 2018 Kingsburg International Piano Competition in Yantai, China, and second prize in the Senior Category of the 2018 UCSI University International Piano Festival & Competition. Additionally, he was awarded the Best Accompanist Award at YST Conservatory's Concerto Competition in 2020, and in the 4th Chin Yong Music Festival in Malaysia. In 2022, Sean participated as a fellow in the prestigious Gilmore Festival held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Paralleling his soloistic pursuits is his passion for chamber music, especially piano duo. In a sustained team with Taiwanese pianist Lyu-Yan Kuo, they achieved First Prize in the Senior Division of the 7th North-West International Piano Ensemble Competition in 2022. Together they participated in Juilliard Chamberfest 2025 performing Nikolai Kapustin’s Sinfonietta, Op. 49, for Piano 4-Hands. In the 2024 edition of Chamberfest, he worked with the prospective “Prometheus” Quartet in a delivery of Erich Korngold’s Piano Quintet, Op. 15. As an avid and versatile collaborator, he has also participated in numerous large ensemble and orchestral performances. Most notably in 2024, he performed as second pianist in Pierre Boulez’s demanding sur Incises under the baton of David Robertson as part of The Juilliard School’s New Series; he will be performing the piece again with the Royal Academy of Music in London in March 2025 working with Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki. In 2020, he worked with the large ensemble at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, playing a significant role in Paul Hindemith's Kammermusik No.1 with Dr. Boon Hua Lien. His collaborations extend to works by contemporary composers back at home and within the vicinity. Notably, he performed composer Yuting Tan's work Gasing at the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore as part of the Light to Night Festival 2022. In the same year he recorded “Turning into Stars” by Malaysian composer Yun Ming Tai, as part of a project-performance in collaboration with a dancer at the Esplanade Recital Studio. He played a significant role in the premiere of Malaysian composer Yeo Chow Shern's orchestral version of "Celebration & Dance (Perayaan)" in 2017 with the KLPAC Orchestra. Over the years, Sean has benefited from esteemed and illuminating guidance of teachers in various institutions. Enrolled in the rigorous M.M. program at The Juilliard School in New York, he currently lies under the tutelage of Hung-Kuan Chen. Prior to this, he earned his B.M. in Piano Performance from the YST Conservatory of Music in Singapore, studying under Albert Tiu, whom was also a Juilliard graduate. During the 2022 Commencement ceremonies at the National University of Singapore, he was awarded the Guy Hentsch Prize for Piano Performance, given annually to the outstanding pianist of the graduating class. Prior to his enrollment at the conservatory, he also received guidance from renowned Malaysian pianist Chee Su-yen. Sean has had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Jonathan Biss, Arie Vardi, Chong Lim Ng, Poom Prommachart, and Kun-woo Paik. He also had his share of humble dabbling in composition and music arranging, having participated in the Free Hand 2023 composition festival in Malaysia. During his free time, he enjoys the exploration of his minor interests, which include tabletop games, penmanship, and reading.