Praised for his depth of artistry and technical mastery, pianist Lio Kuok-Wai has captivated audiences worldwide.  A graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music under Gary Graffman, he is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia's Career Advancement Award, and several scholarships from the Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau and Feltsman Piano Foundation.

Lio made his concerto debut at ten with the Macau Orchestra at the 2000 Macau Arts Festival.  Since then, he has performed at some of the world's most renowned venues and collaborated with leading orchestras and conductors, including the China Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Camerata Salzburg, and Houston Symphony.  He has worked with distinguished conductors such as Edo de Waart, François-Xavier Roth, and Michael Stern.

His exceptional talent has earned top prizes in competitions like the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, the Gina Bachauer International Young Artists Competition, the Steinway and Sons International Piano Competition, and the Chopin International Piano Competition in Asai.

Born in Macau, Lio Kuok-Wai began his musical journey at age five.  In 1997, he received a full scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts un der Gabriel Kwok.  He has further honed his craft at Yale University, the University of Kansas, and the International Center for Music at Park University.  A regular participant at the Marlboro Music Festival, he ahs performed alongside distinguished musicians such as Kim Kashkashian, Pamela Frank and members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, and Shanghai Quartets.

Lio has also been recognized for his cultural contributions, receiving the Titulo Honorifico de Valor (Honorific Title of Merit) from Macau's former Chief Executive, Ho Hau Wah.  He has performed for high-profile dignitaries, including then-President of China Hu Jintao, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent, and Stanley Ho.

Recent highlights include his performance during the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 2023 and 2024 fundraising concert for peace at Milan's Teatro dal erme, honring the legacy of Fr. Juigi Giussani.  He was invited to present the "Spirto Gentil" at the New York Encounter.

In season 2025-26, Lio is making his concerto debut with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Delta David Gier, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3.  In addition, he is giving concerts across the nation, and enjoys exploring anything that concerns the humanities.