The musicality and virtuosity of pianist Myrna Setiawan is well known to American audiences, especially with Californians, as well as with music aficionados in other parts of the world. In her homeland, Indonesia, Ms. Setiawan is recognized as being "in a league of her own ... something that goes beyond experience and qualification" (The Jakarta Post).

She began studying piano in Indonesia at the age of 5 with her very first teacher, Ms. Aylisia Jusuf, and had already actively performed at the age of 11 in Japan at the Annual Yamaha Junior Concert.  At the age of 16, she received her first scholarship to the RD Colburn School of Music and Performing Arts in Los Angeles and studied under Dr. Louise Lepley.  Her other teachers in the United States have included Patricia Zander at New England Conservatory - Boston, Mack Mc Cray at San Francisco Conservatory of Music - San Francisco, and Eugene and Elizabeth Pridonoff at College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati. She received full merit scholarships from the three universities she attended.

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As the winner of numerous piano competitions including the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition, Joseph Fisch International Competition, and the Bartok Competition, her repertoire masterfully spans the gamut from early baroque to modern, though she truly excels in music from the romantic and early 21st century era when she lets her passion flow. Her delightful playing and virtuosity have led to numerous solo recitals, including those for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Society, the San Francisco Keyboard Concert Series, Challenging Performance Recital Series in Cincinnati, Bach’s Dancing and Dynamite Society, USC Radio, California Rotary Club’s Benefit Concert where she soloed in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, the Noon Time Concert Series in San Francisco and Pacifica Performances. She also has been invited to perform & lead master classes in several guest artist recital series at Randolph College – Lynchburg, University of Louisiana - Lafayette and LaVeck Concert Series in Oswego - New York, Louisiana Music Teacher Association Convention in Lafayette - Louisiana and Gloriamus School of Music in Jakarta - Indonesia. She judged piano competitions, such as the Louisiana MTNA Competition and San Francisco Chopin Competition for Young Pianists as the most recent. 

Though she now calls America her home where she lives, she still keeps Indonesia as her homeland in her heart. Ms. Setiawan had the honor of being invited by the former Indonesian president’s son and performed Rachmaninoff’s third piano concerto with the Indonesian Philharmonic Orchestra. Her other engagements in Indonesia highlighted Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto with Gloriamus Symphony Orchestra and Nusantara Chamber Orchestra. Her performances with orchestras in the United States includes with Marina Del Rey Westchester Symphony, the Lake Tahoe Festival Orchestra, the Auburn Symphony, the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, College Conservatory of Music Concert Orchestra in Cincinnati and with the Sacramento Gold Country Chamber Orchestra.

In her spare time, she enjoys going to places to look at scenery, cooking or more likely.. eating great food and loves learning about interior designs.

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F E A T U R E D   R E V I E W S 

"The musicality and virtuosity of pianist Myrna Setiawan is well known to American audiences, especially with Californians, as well as with music aficionados in other parts of the world.  Reviews of her performances include pianistic phenomenon... with seemingly endless resources of power and brilliance"  - The Fresno Bee - 

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"In her homeland, Indonesia, Ms. Setiawan is recognized as being in a league of her own... with... something extra that goes way beyond experience and qualification"  - The Jakarta Post -

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"Her irresistible emotional performances literally brought forth tears from some of the audience members" - The Auburn Journal -

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"She is a Master of the Moment"  - The Sacramento Magazine -

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"Her magnificence in piano is complete and sustaining… A remarkable, rare and thrilling performance. Her beautiful interpretation… which each phrase was distinctly crafted by someone who felt the music throughout her body… produced amazing volume contrasted by a soft poignant echo made the audience sat frozen in disbelief"  - Pacifica Tribune -