MUSE • Musicians United for Social Equity

Biography

As a Malaysian multi-genre pianist, collaborative artist, composer, and educator, Cheryl Chin stands as a seasoned virtuoso whose career is defined by a dual-discipline mastery. Her musical journey is a quest for excellence that has led her through a myriad of international experiences, shaping her into a versatile talent capable of navigating the technical rigors of classical repertoire while pushing the boundaries of jazz improvisation and research. This unique expertise spans various domains from high-level performance to academic innovation, marked by an insatiable passion for artistic innovation and expression.

Cheryl’s musical foundation is built upon a rigorous academic background across two of the most prestigious environments in the East Coast area. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music (2023), where she studied under the esteemed tutelage of Inesa Sinkevych and Philip Kawin. Building on this classical excellence, she transitioned into the world of jazz and earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies and Performance from William Paterson University in 2026. During her graduate residency, she refined her artistry under the mentorship of Bruce Barth for jazz piano and Dr. Carl Patrick Bolleia for classical piano, a combination that allowed her to masterfully integrate technical precision with the improvisational language of jazz.

Her tenure at William Paterson University marked a sophisticated evolution from a classical virtuoso to a jazz scholar and bandleader. This period was defined by high-level collaboration and archival study, culminating in specialized research titled Beyond Bebop: The Aesthetics of Mary Lou Williams and Thelonious Monk. Cheryl’s leadership was further evidenced by her work as a bandleader for a Mary Lou Williams tribute recital and the premiere of original jazz compositions, such as her quintet work “Say No More” and the piano and guitar duo “Tes Yeux.” By bridging the gap between academic research and live performance on international stages, including a solo piano performance at the Global Music Foundation in Tuscany Italy, she has redefined her musical identity as an expansive evolution of the artistic soul.

Beyond the jazz and classical stages, Cheryl excels as a collaborative pianist and composer within the musical theatre industry. A highlight of her recent career was the premiere of her musical endeavor in 2023, Polar Excess, a captivating 20-minute show presented at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. This production, created for the Across A Crowded Room Musical Theatre Writing Workshop, underscored her ability to craft compelling narratives and evoke profound emotions. Her dedication to the craft is further reflected in her role as an auditor for the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop , and her past work as a pianist and arranger for productions like For Madmen Only at the Manhattan School of Music.

As an educator, Cheryl is known for a teaching style that blends professional discipline with an approachable, engaging character. This unique pedagogy has proven highly effective; during her time at the Bronx School for Music and the Aurora Music Academy, her ability to connect with students and personalize her instruction allowed her to rapidly fill her roster and maintain a full studio of young pianists. By prioritizing both technical growth and the “joy of the jam,” she ensures her students find personal fulfillment in their musical journey. Whether coaching vocalists for new musical readings or performing contemporary orchestral works, Cheryl Chin Yi Wei continues to exemplify the transformative power of art, proving that true talent knows no generic boundaries.