Dan Shao started piano lessons at the age of 3, studied under Professor Sheng Jian-yi at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at 6 years old and was the youngest piano soloist in the 3rd Spring of the Shanghai Festival. She continued her studies at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing under professor Guo Zhi-hong, Li Qi-fang and Zhu Gong-yi. She graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor’s degree, and became a teacher at the Central Conservatory. 

In 1985, Shao was a professor and the head of the piano department of the affiliated high school to the Shanghai Conservatory. Since then, many of her students have won piano competitions both in China and internationally. In 1992, she was invited by the Goethe Foundation as a Paul Badura-Skoda scholar to visit and perform in Vienna, and to study under the world-renowned pianist. 

Shao has given recitals and concerts in Austria, Switzerland, as well as various cities throughout China. She performed on CCTV and Shanghai TV, published papers on piano performance artistry, and made CD recordings.  

Currently, she is a professor of Central Conservatory of Music, and a visiting Professor of Xi’an Conservatory of Music.