Meet Stephanie Zi Yi Yang | Concert Pianist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Zi Yi Yang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie Zi Yi, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
As a concert pianist based in New York City, my curiosity for classical music and the hard work I have invested into music is definitely the most important factor behind my success in the profession.

I used to love Chinese kung fu very much when I was young, however my father disapproved my decision to get more advanced in martial arts, so he surprised me by signing me up for piano lessons at the age of four. I didn’t quite enjoy the tedious practice, especially I was often practicing alone while my friends had their freedom to do other fun activities. But one thing I knew was that I love music, and being able to take weekly lessons with the best teachers in town was a privilege that not many people had at the time. Since the beginner music I had to learn wasn’t fun to play, I wanted to challenge myself to get better at playing the piano. I got through multiple levels as if I was advancing in video games.

I was so curious to know what more could this instrument show me, and if my world will be different afterwards. Thank to my young hardworking self, I was able to perform my first solo recital at Xinghai Concert Hall at the age of eight, and soon after I was accepted to the music conservatory. I continued majoring in piano performance at Interlochen Center for the Arts in the United States when I was fifteen, received my bachelor’s degree from Eastman School of Music and Master’s degree from Mannes School of Music. I am happy I chose my favorite “after-school activity” as my profession. I am grateful to be able to share music with my audience at prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall and Columbia University in New York now. I am forever grateful for how spontaneous my career path began.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Performing classical music has always been my dream growing up. But my career has shifted slightly since I discovered my new passion in creating and performing contemporary music. Learning different experimental ways of playing an instrument and hearing all the abstract ideas and interpretations from the composer himself always fascinate me. In a piece I performed at Steinway Hall, Vancouver called “…as Water” by Yifan Guo last year, the composer created a new type of listening and performance experience, which includes an AI that was coded by him. Called Artificial Organism, the AI is capable of growing new pitches in a watery sense by learning existing sounds, as well as using its own process to adapt, digest, and produce its own sound. “…as Water” is the very first composition which uses such techniques to complement the performer’s playing.

I have also been hosting private musical salon concerts – MUSIKENT at various locations since 2018. MUSIKENT is an experience which provides music, education and engagement. In order to have our audience fully enjoy and understand the music, performers often give a thorough speech that explains the background story, motifs and metaphors about the program of the night. The intimacy in the concert brings our performers and audience closer, as if we were back in the nineteenth century romantic era.

I hope to provide an unique experience and share more diversity in acoustic music with my audience in every concert I perform.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
New York City is one of the most vibrant cities I have lived in, you can always find things to do here at any time and anywhere. Definitely check out all the local jazz bars such as The Smalls, St. Mazie Bar, and Mezzrow. New York City Ballet is a must go and The Metropolitan Opera has the best staging and the most talented performers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout to the high school I attended – Interlochen Center for the Arts and my dearest teacher at the time Dr. Thomas (TJ) Lymenstull. The school and my teacher at the time definitely took a major role in my life when I was choosing my career path. Being able to grow as a musician in such a creative and encouraging environment made me realize playing the piano is not about showing off the great skills and techniques, it is finding out the charms, the difference of tones and colours in music. The passion and encouragement I received there built me who I am today, and I am forever grateful for them.

Website: yang-stephanie.com

Instagram: stephziyi