First piano Prize in Jean Doyen class at Paris CNSMD - Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, Chantal Riou began an improvement cycle with Prof. Jacques Février. At the same time, she also studies with Gyorgy Sebok and Mitslav Rostropovitch.

Then she decided to prepare International Competitions and perfected her studies with Annie Marco.

She won many International Competitions ; « Paris Grand Prix Long Thibault », 3rd Napoli Prize Alfredo Casella, Ravel Prize and 5th Lisbonne Vianna da Motta Prize, 2nd Prize at Epinal International Competition.

Chantal Riou is also Prize winner at Barcelone Maria Canals International Competition, Terni Casagrande International Competition and Senlis Cziffra Foundation.

She performed in France and abroad playing recitals and chamber music ; she is regularly invited in festivals and plays as a soloist with such orchestras as Toulouse Capitole Orchestra, Paris « Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine », Pro Arte Orchestra, Normandie Orchestral Ensemble…

Chantal Riou is teacher at Rueil-Malmaison CRR - Conservatoire à rayonnement régional - and gives also master classes in summer academies. She is jury in National and International Competition, notably at Epinal International Competition.

Her CD and radio recordings have been welcome with entouthiasme.

After her last CD with the Haffner Ensemble, she has just finished registering a piano solo CD with Rossini oeuvre ; « Les Quelques Riens » with Mandala Harmonia Mundi.