Prior to my relocation to SF (2021), I worked at Claraboya Scratch Kitchen & Bar at Doubletree Hotel (Lubbock, Texas) as lounge pianist, playing various types of soothing music ranging from Movie Soundtracks to Classical, Jazz/Pop, oldies, and Disney music. I’ve also provided similar services at numerous places / occasions (restaurants, grocery markets, clubs, churches etc.). My most recent performance in SF took place at Lion’s Den in Chinatown.
Chuan Li Ko did a fabulous job accompanying Flautist-Composer Andrea Ceccomori in a performance of Ceccomori's CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES song cycle, performed as part of a Saint Francis Feast Day three day event. The concert was produced by Fabio G. Giotta and the KNIGHTS OF SAINT FRANCIS. Several special arrangements along with Chuan's wonderful renditions of Chopin's Minute Waltz and Dolce Sentire (Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna...Brother Sun, Sister Moon) allowed Chuan and headliner Ceccomori to truly shine. Bravi, tutti e due!
I hired Dr. Ko through GigSalad to play for my baby shower last month, and he was great. His song choices were perfect, carrying such a happy and celebratory atmosphere-just exactly as I wanted it to be. Playing so elegantly with so much feeling, his music brought that special and beautiful touch that everybody kept talking about. Furthermore, Dr. Ko was very easy to communicate with: professional, responsive, and attentive to all the particular details I had. I highly recommend him for any occasion. Thank you very much, Dr. Ko, for having made our day so unforgettable!
I had the pleasure of having Dr. Ko play at my New Year party on January 1st, and it was an absolute delight. His song selection was impeccable, catering to a diverse audience with a mix of classics and contemporary tunes. Dr. Ko's open demeanor created a warm and inviting atmosphere, making everyone feel comfortable and engaged.
Communication with Dr. Ko was a breeze; he was responsive, accommodating, and truly invested in making the event special. Punctuality is often underestimated, but Dr. Ko exceeded expectations by arriving on time, setting the tone for a seamless musical experience.
His courtesy and easy-going nature added an extra layer of charm to the evening. Dr. Ko's piano playing was exceptional, showcasing not only technical prowess but also a natural flair that captivated everyone in attendance. What stood out was his ability to effortlessly take song requests, making the performance personalized and interactive.
One of Dr. Ko's remarkable skills is his capability to sight-read anything on the sheet music. This versatility allowed for spontaneous moments and a dynamic repertoire, making the entire performance feel tailored to the preferences of the audience.
In summary, Dr. Ko's contribution to my New Year party was a highlight of the evening. His musical talent, combined with his amiable personality and professionalism, created an unforgettable experience for all. I highly recommend Dr. Ko for any event where exceptional piano playing and a positive, accommodating presence are desired.
Wonderful and gifted pianist, strongly recommend!
Response from Dr. Ko — Top Pianist for Hire in SF Bay Area:
Thank you so much for your kind words Anna! It was truly a pleasure playing at your New Year’s Eve Party and accompanying the sing-along group for the second time. I’m glad you and your guests enjoyed the music, and I appreciate the warm hospitality.
I had the pleasure of having Dr. Ko as the pianist for our Xmas party on 12/28/2023, and I am thrilled to share my positive experience.
Dr. Ko exuded professionalism from the moment he arrived. His punctuality set a positive tone for the evening, and it was clear that he approached his work with a high level of dedication and expertise.
The selection of Christmas and holiday music was impeccable, creating a festive atmosphere that resonated with everyone present. Dr. Ko’s skillful playing added a touch of magic to the event, and the feedback from our guests was overwhelmingly positive. His musical talent truly contributed to making our Xmas party a memorable and joyful occasion.
I highly recommend Dr. Ko for any event requiring a talented and professional pianist. Thank you for contributing to the success of our celebration!
Played selection of classical music and christmas carols for our family holiday party for 3 hours. Pleasant to work with, polite demeanor, nicely dressed…very professional. Would definitely hire him again and highly recommend.
This is the second time we have hired Dr. Ko, and we were just as pleased as the the first time! Thanks you for making our event festive!
I had the pleasure of witnessing a remarkable performance by Dr. Ko who played for my 60-year-old wife’s birthday party. His wide repertoire of music was truly impressive, spanning classical pieces to contemporary hits, ensuring there was something for everyone in the audience. What stood out even more was his flexibility and easy-going personality. He seamlessly adapted to the mood and requests of the crowd, creating an enchanting and personalized musical experience that left a lasting impression. It was a truly unforgettable evening, thanks to the pianist's talent and amiable nature.
Helped my son for his college portfolio last minute
Dr. Ko's extensive repertoire kept our international guests, spanning 4 generations, thoroughly entertained throughout the wine tasting and dinner event, and his accompaniment during a lively sing-along round for the guest of honor capped off the evening in great style.
Enlisted the help of Chuan-Li for a consultation on piano works. Offered excellent service was very thorough, extremely professional, and remarkably insightful. Truly some of the best work I’ve seen and experienced here on GigSalad. I could not be more satisfied, truly outstanding.
Dr. Ko played for an important evening event and was a big hit. People commented on how nice the music was - not too loud for a group of forty at a cocktail party. Highly recommend him!
When my stepfather passed away suddenly last month, we were struggling to find a pianist for his memorial. With the help of Gigsalad, thankfully we found Chuan Li. He was one of the first artists to respond. He was very kind and we loved his church experience. He was very easy to communicate with and had a wonderful planning phone meeting with my mother. He made suggestions and played everything she requested. Chuan Li was our only musician and he shined. He arrived on time, to a church he had never been before; no problems at all. His gentle nature worked perfectly with the minster ( who he never met before). I would absolutely love to hire Chuan Li for a party or happier occasion. Thank you Chuan Li for you making Tom’s Celebration of Life special. Jennifer Bernauer
I hired Dr. Ko for my event and I had high expectations that he delivered on. I will hire him again in the future for all my important events.
Dr. Ko was highly professional and masterful on the piano. He arrived early, was impeccably polite and wonderful. He accompanied a sing-along party, and played some beautiful solo tunes for our party, and made it beautiful and unforgettable. My guests loved it!! Thank you.
We were so fortunate to have Dr. Ko as our pianist for the Christmas party!
Dr. Ko is very easy to communicate. I also wanted to highlight his professionalism and work ethics! We did a last-minute request (two days before the event) for a few songs to be played at our party. I made it clear to him that he didn’t have to do it if he’s not comfortable, but he responded this short-notice request so professionally! Needless to say, he plays very well too!
We must thank Kassie for recommending us Dr. Ko.
We enjoyed having you play for our annual holiday party! Amazing talent, professional and enjoyed by all the guests! Hope to have you back! Thanks! Antoinette
We had him play in our Christmas & Birthday party yesterday. He did great!
The pianist who was supposed to play at our party got sick and canceled the gig last minute. We were super panicked until Dr. Ko came to the rescue! I’m glad he accepted our last minute request with no hesitation… phew!!!
Dr. Ko (preferably to be called Chuan Li) is an extremely talented and flexible musician. A few of our guests requested him to play some songs that they can sing along, and he did it right away at ease! (With and without music in front of him). We loved the Christmas arrangements and all holiday music he played. It was full of emotions, strength, and wit! Too bad he had to rush to another gig afterwards and therefore could only do 2 hours with us, which he told us upfront when we spoke.
We would like Chuan to come over AGAIN!!!
We hosted a Christmas party last Sunday and hired Dr. Ko to be our pianist through Thumbtack.
What a gifted versatile pianist he is! Dr. Ko seemed to be able to play/read just any piece you requested. He was so emotional and into the music while performing. His piano playing was sensitive, soothing, and dramatic with a lot showmanship!
Dr. Ko has our highest recommendation! Love to have him again in our next event.
We had Dr. Ko in our house playing for the Halloween party in San Rafael back in 2022 October. He had a wide range of music repertoire (with good taste) to play, ranging from Disney, Movie Soundtracks, Pop, Classical, and some famous 80s. What we loved about his playing is that he was capable of playing all kind of music, capturing the right characters and atmosphere with the perfect touch and emotions. It didn’t feel like background lounge music as my guests were all drawn to his music and were singing along with some tune we were familiar with! We would definitely like to have him back again this Christmas!
Price Range: $400 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 360 minutes
Languages: Chinese, English, Malay
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dr. Chuan-Li Ko graduated from Texas Tech University where he obtained his DMA in Piano Performance. He also holds the Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship (special candidate award) Diplomas in Piano Performance, awarded by the Trinity College of London. Through his eight years of graduate studies in the US, Dr. Ko has studied with many renowned pianists in the US such as William Westney, Daniel del Pino, Norman Krieger, Elizabeth Pridonolf, Donna Lee, Anton Niel, Asaf Zohar, and Marina Lomazov. He was also a recipient of scholarships and graduate teaching assistantships awarded by several institutions, in which he was appointed to teach Keyboard Skills, Music Theory, and Ear-Training class.
Dr. Ko has performed extensively as a soloist and vocal and instrumental collaborative pianist at various setting such as recitals and competitions. His most recent collaborations in the past couple of years include “Dream of Flowery Pursuit” his debut collaboration with Chinese instruments at DPAC Malaysia, “Around the World in 6 Hands and 88 Keys” at National Taichung Theater (Taiwan), “A Feast of Pianistic Wonders” where he shared the stage with another 3 pianists alongside the KLPAC orchestra, “Connecting the Dots” - a percussion-piano duo recital at DPAC (Malaysia), “Music of the Night” in which he was featured as a soloist presenting Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, “Rach’d” - a joint recital featuring only Rachmaninov’s piano works and art songs at Esplanade Recital Studio (Singapore), “Mikado" with James Madison University Opera (United States), and Saint-Saëns's Organ Symphony with Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
In spite of the global pandemic, Dr. Ko has been ardently involved in many projects and music competitions nationally and internationally. His recent achievements and contributions to the field include winning the Best Student Essay for 2021 Global Music Summit and emerging as the 1st runner-up of Charleston Music Festival 2020. Also, he virtually premiered Pump#5 for Percussion and Piano Duo at Music by Women Festival and Hot Air Music Festival respectively, written by Professor Dana Kaufman from University California at Riverside. In addition to that, Dr. Ko was also invited to present several topics in webinars, one of them being the ‘Emotional Expression in Classical Music’ hosted by Discussion et Rationalité. The presentation revolved around the importance of logicality in music performance. He discussed substantially how critical thinking and planning facilitate the process of emotional expression from the theoretical and performance perspectives, which is one of the aspects he highly values in piano teaching.
Dr. Ko is also a member of the Debonair Malaysia, a four-piano ensemble group, as well as Klaviercussion, a percussion-piano duo ensemble. He founded the duo group Klaviercussion with the aim of elevating public interest and appreciation for percussion-piano ensemble literature and modern music. Dr. Ko has a great passion for music teaching. He believes that music serves as a joy-seeking tool that will benefit students in a long run.
| October 04, 2024 • 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Concert |
| December 31, 2023 • 9:00pm - 11:00pm | House Party |
| December 23, 2023 • 4:30pm - 8:30pm | Christmas Party |
| December 22, 2023 • 6:00pm - 10:00pm | Dinner Party |
| December 16, 2023 • 6:30pm - 10:00pm | Christmas Party |
| October 29, 2023 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Studio Session |
| September 30, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
| September 23, 2023 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Personal Occasion |
| May 20, 2023 • 2:30pm - 7:30pm | Birthday Party |
| March 25, 2023 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Cocktail Party |
| February 19, 2023 • 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 14, 2023 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| December 31, 2022 • 9:30pm - 11:00pm | Christmas Party |
| December 24, 2022 • 4:30pm - 7:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| December 17, 2022 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Christmas Party |
| November 19, 2022 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
Contact me to find out!
Classical, pop, jazz
Grand piano/ upright piano / digital piano
San Francisco, CA 
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