ABOUT DUO ENHARMONICS

NICOLE CHAO AND BETH CHEN FORM A DUO TEAM THAT COMBINES DAZZLING VIRTUOSITY AND ROMANTIC LYRICISM

Beth Chen and Nicole Chao, two of New Zealand’s celebrated pianists, perform together as Duo Enharmonics—an ensemble lauded for its expressive depth, technical brilliance, and beautiful musical cohesion. With extensive experience as both performers and educators, they have appeared together and as soloists in leading venues across Aotearoa, as well as in Germany and the United Kingdom. Their national tours, including those presented by Chamber Music New Zealand, have brought them to major concert stages throughout the country, where critics have praised their performances for their “unanimity of feeling and technical mastery.”

Known for their collaborative spirit, Duo Enharmonics frequently performs with members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand String Quartet. Between them, they have earned top prizes in major competitions such as the National Concerto Competition (New Zealand) and the North Queensland Piano and Instrumental Concerto Competition (Australia). Their performances have been recorded by Radio New Zealand, where they have also been featured in interviews discussing their work and musical perspectives.

Both pianists are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Beth Chen serves as an Artist Teacher at the New Zealand School of Music, Te Kōkī, while Nicole Chao contributes as a mentor and adjudicator for Chamber Music New Zealand. Their repertoire spans an extensive range of works for both four-hand and two-piano configurations. Upcoming engagements include a performance of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in E for Two Pianos with the Wairua Sinfonietta in Auckland and a concert featuring major works for two-pianos in partnership with Christopher’s Classics at The Piano in Christchurch.

BIOGRAPHY

The Journey: Friendship, Reunion

Beth and Nicole completed their Master of Music in Piano Performance degrees together at the New Zealand School of Music, during which time they formed an enduring friendship. They then pursued independent performing careers, finding success in national and international concerto and solo competitions. It was in 2017, on Beth's return to New Zealand following a musical career in Europe, that the two pianists decided to musically reunite and dedicate themselves primarily to chamber music. They formed Duo Enharmonics, and began ongoing collaborations with members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand String Quartet, and Orchestra Wellington. Duo Enharmonics has made several national tours, including with Chamber Music New Zealand.

Across continents, centuries, and cultures

The duo's repertoire spans across vastly different time periods and genres of music, and includes all major works for piano duet and piano duo, including orchestral transcriptions. Equally excited by the unique sounds of New Zealand contemporary composers as they are by the familiar melodies of baroque, classical, romantic, and twentieth-century composers, Duo Enharmonics carefully construct their programmes to take audiences on epic emotional journeys. They present thrilling virtuosic showpieces alongside deeply spiritual musical reflections. While some programmes are themed, some are based on particular psychological trajectories. But most of their concerts end with a bang—with a celebration of the piano's potential for massive symphonic sound. Audience participants commonly remark that Duo Enharmonics concerts resemble exhilarating rollercoaster rides. 

Sharing with communities; inspiring the next generation

Alongside their teaching work, Nicole and Beth are dedicated to supporting the community through chamber music. They strive to present classical music in as many settings as possible, bringing the joy of music to ever wider audiences. Their Front Row Classical Series—house concerts with food and wine—brings communities together for free music and supports both emerging and established artists. Other community outreach activities include presenting school concerts for children, and holding benefit concerts for charities including Women's Refuge, Wellington Children's Hospital and the charitable trust Arohanui Strings. 

In all cases, Beth and Nicole aim to draw people in for intimate musical experiences, made even more special by their reflective and educational introductions to each piece they play. Their self-produced music videos of four-hand music and their "behind-the-scenes" clips spread their appeal. And their live concerts are designed to be friendly and interactive, bringing listeners and musicians into the same magical space. In a recent Radio New Zealand interview, Beth described the piano as a "self-contained island," and talked of the beauty of sharing that island with your best friend. In their concerts, Duo Enharmonics invite their listeners onto their island of musical delight.