On February 26th at 7:30 p.m., East Tennessee State University and the Johnson City community welcomed pianist duo Dr. Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, otherwise known as Duo Beaux Arts. Their performance was held at the Martin Center of the Arts, presenting a guest piano duo event organized by Dr. Eva Polgar, coordinator of the ETSU piano department.
Founded in 2008, Duo Beaux Arts has built a reputation for expressive nuance and dynamic programming. The duo has been featured on National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service and Maine Public, and has appeared on notable concert series across the United States.
Catherine Lan and Tao Lin have collectively performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, with Dr. Polgar listing off “Carnegie Hall, Victoria Hall in Singapore, Izumi Hall in Osaka and Bartók Hall at Buda Castle in Budapest.” Their international career spans North America, Europe and Asia, reflecting both technical excellence and broad artistic reach.
Tao Lin, described in Dr. Polgar’s own words as having “keen musical intelligence and excellent facility,” has performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and the Winnipeg Symphony. Dr. Catherine Lan, praised for her “fluent technique, sensitive musicianship and a probing intellect,” has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Milwaukee Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony. Lan is also director of the Chamber Music Series of South Florida Symphony and records for Centaur Records.
Beyond the stage, the duo is deeply committed to education. In 2024, they served as invited artists-in-residence at La Maison d’éducation de la Légion d’honneur in Saint Denis, France, a historic institution founded by Napoleon in 1805. Their expanding international presence also includes debut recitals in Dubai, Madrid, and a residency at the Mustjala Festival in Estonia.
As a Steinway Ensemble, their visit to ETSU, an All-Steinway School, carries special significance. Both Lan and Lin perform exclusively on Steinway pianos, Dr. Eva Polgar said the connection created a natural partnership and inspired a program designed to reel the audience in with its distinctive program.
For Dr. Polgar, bringing artists of this caliber to campus is about more than a single evening of performance. Through thoughtful programming and international collaboration, ETSU continues to make itself a space where world-class artistry is both celebrated and accessible. For more information regarding this performance or future performances like this, feel free to contact Dr. Eva Polgar at POLGAR@mail.etsu.edu.
