A native of Malaysia, Poon Chiew Hwa has performed in the United States, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Her performances in Arizona, USA, and at the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia, Mexico, received outstanding newspaper reviews. One reviewer praised her as a pianist “who has the power to communicate her emotions intensely,” while another remarked that her concert left the audience “weeping with gratitude and admiration.”

Chiew Hwa’s notable solo performances include the University of Arizona Pianists on Tour in the U.S. and Mexico, the Gijón International Piano Festival in Spain, recitals in Kuala Lumpur, and a concerto performance with the Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared as a guest artist at various universities, including Valley City State University, Missouri State University, the University of Malaya, and Conservatorio de las Rosas, among others. Additionally, she has been invited to present masterclasses at several institutions.

Chiew Hwa has received numerous awards throughout her career. She won first place at the 2009 Missouri Music Teachers Association state piano competition and was selected as the alternate winner of the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition (State-2009). In 2014, she secured First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Fifth Annual Lois Trester Piano Competition. Her winning performance was later broadcast on the local NPR station KUAT-FM in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to her performance achievements, she is an active adjudicator in various piano competitions across Malaysia.

Chiew Hwa is recognized for her innovative music and movement sessions, tailored for diverse audiences, including dementia patients, senior citizens, children, and high school bands. Her research on music and movement has been featured in both local and international publications, underscoring her commitment to advancing this field.

Dr. Poon is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya and serves as a music examiner for Trinity College London. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Arizona, where she studied under Professor Tannis Gibson. She also earned the Applied Credential in Dalcroze Education from the Longy School of Music in Boston.