Chetan Tierra, a Yamaha artist, is an American concert pianist, songwriter and composer. He has been seen on concert stages across America, Europe, Asia and Africa in solo recital, with orchestra, and with his art pop group he co-founded, The Mosaic Quartet. While he has earned top prizes, performing in the world's most prestigious piano competitions, including the Van Cliburn, Queen Elizabeth, Jose Iturbi, Seoul, Hilton Head, and New Orleans, he doesn't consider himself a competition style player. "My sole purpose as an artist is to connect the audience with the music and give them an intense experience that they cannot let go of. Often times in competition the kind of risks necessary to create this experience are faulted by a large jury that can't come to a consensus." Chetan says.
His Carnegie Hall debut in 2006 was praised as "magnificent" by the NY Concert Review and his charismatic persona and emotional style have led to many praises from audiences and critics alike. "Tierra held piano lovers on the edge of their seats." says Chris Waddington from The Times-Picaynne in New Orleans. "Pianist Chetan Tierra, Magic and Mastery!" says Lyn Bronson from Peninsula Reviews.
An avid songwriter and composer through his musical development, Chetan stumbled into the right pieces when he co-founded The Mosaic Quartet in early 2012. The band developed their sound around the piano using Chetan's abilities and those of 2 other highly-trained classical pianists. Their sound can be described as virtuosic piano riffs alongside celestial guitar-scapes and pads, a driving rhythm section, and sincere, catchy vocals.
They caught the ear of 12 time Grammy winning producer T-Bone Burnett who helped their development in the early stages. They teamed up with management towards the end of the year and are planning the release of their first full length record in the fall of 2013.
Chetan began playing the piano immediately after birth as his father would tie him to his lap, point to the piano keys, and Chetan would play. His father was his first teacher and worked with him daily developing his obvious talents. At the age of 8 Chetan began more traditional lessons. He gives much credit to his teachers Hans Boepple, who he worked with in high school and Antonio Pompa-Baldi at the Cleveland Institute of Music. His early and mid twenties were spent performing all over the world, and while he still performs regularly his attention is drawn to the undeniable potential The Mosaic Quartet has.
