Master Lessons with Yi-Yang Chen, University of Kansas September 29 - October 3, 2023
Dr. Yi-Yang Chen shot onto the international stage with back-to-back victories in the 2018 Sussex International Piano Competition, 2017 Washington International Competition, and the Warning International Piano Competition. The Worthing Herald music critic Richard Amey praised his recent performance “flair for the unusual and his technical and artistic capacity to deliver,” as well as his “musical and emotional intelligence, dexterity and virtuosity,” listening to Chen as soloist in Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No.5 “Egyptian” with the Worthing Symphony Orchestra. His vibrant playing at the Pacific International Piano Competition (Canada) was recognized by the judges, who selected him for the first prize (“…Yi-Yang showed an impressive breadth of emotional investment and natural affinity for the music he played. The informed individuality and command of his performance was immediately compelling to the judges. We feel this young man has a fine future as an artist. He seems to ‘own’ the piano as he plays, and this makes his performance extremely powerful” – Dr. Robin McCabe).
Yi-Yang Chen is an assistant professor of piano at the University of Kansas and the Artist Director of the Orbifold Music Festival in California. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Chen has been playing the piano since the age of 8. Yi-Yang completed his Doctor of Musical Arts And Bachelor’s of Music at the Eastman School of Music with Douglas Humpherys, and his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School with Robert McDonald and Jerome Lowenthal. He also has solo/chamber masterclasses with Itzhak Perlman, Emanuel Ax, Daniel Pollack, Joseph Kalichstein, Glenn Dicterow, Thomas Sauer, and with members from the Cleveland, Shanghai, Borromeo, Brentano, Ying, and Guarneri String Quartets. Yi-Yang has captivated audiences worldwide with his flamboyant playing. He has performed on five continents in acclaimed venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center in New York, Melbourne Recital Centre, National Concert Hall in Taipei, Banff Music Centre in Canada, ZK Matthews Great Hall in South Africa, and the Assembly Hall in Worthing, UK, with such orchestras as the Worthing Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, Avanti Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonic Orchestra, National Chinese Orchestra, and the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. He has appeared at the Perlman Music Festival, Taos School of Music Summer Chamber Music Festival, Banff Music Centre, Music Academy of the West, Four Seasons Winter Workshop, and Brevard Music Center. A wealth of experience enables Chen to become an outstanding teacher and performer. As the winner of the 2012 MTNA National Young Artist Piano Competition, Chen was given a Steinway piano and two concerts in Miami sponsored by the Chopin Foundation (USA) as his prize. In a review of his 2017 solo recital at Carnegie Weill Hall, New York Concert Review wrote, “He negotiated this difficult work with what appeared to be the greatest of ease. The passagework was sparkling, and the energy never flagging. Mr. Chen held the line and momentum throughout, challenges which many players struggle with in this work […]. It was a powerhouse performance. His bold, take-no- holds approach was all that one hopes for in this work. It is a high-risk proposition that demands a large technique, and Mr. Chen delivered. I’ve heard many performances of this sonata, and Mr. Chen’s ranks among the best. “ Chen also received top prizes at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, American Prize (Professional Division), UNISA International Piano Competition (South Africa), Kerikeri International Piano Competition (New Zealand), Seattle International Piano competition, Thailand International Piano Competition, San Jose International Piano Competition, Roberto Melini International Piano Competition (Italy), Five Towns Piano Competition, Schubert Club Competition, Thousand Islands International Piano Competition, and Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford. Yi-Yang Chen is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, College Music Society, and Mu Phi Epsilon. He enjoys swimming, biking, traveling, and composing. Yi-Yang is currently working on a recording project with Champs Hill label (UK); the release is scheduled for 2025. Before joining KU (University of Kansas), Yi-Yang has served on the faculty at East Tennessee State University.
Enrollment/Postmark Deadline: September 11, 2023
Lesson Dates: Friday September 29, Saturday September 30, and Monday October 2, 2023 Steinway Piano Gallery of Kansas City 9512 Marshall Drive, Lenexa KS
Recital: October 1, 2023 - 2:30 PM White Recital Hall, UMKC Conservatory 4949 Cherry Street Kansas City, MO
Masterclass: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - 10:00 AM Tuyli Shire Hall, Music Academy of Kansas City 9339 W. 87th Street Overland Park, KS
Teachers may enroll intermediate through advanced level students anytime before September 10, 2023 (Check postmark date). Please complete your registration at the link here(https://forms.gle/onyMQ3k8FbTLMK2Y9) AND mail your check early, as lesson times are scheduled on a “first come, first served” basis and enrollment is limited. Later received entries may not be able to be accommodated. Teachers may enter as many students, piano duets, and chamber ensembles featuring piano as desired. However, to accommodate as many studios as possible, initially, 3 hours of lessons will be scheduled for each teacher (4 45-minute lessons or 3 1-hour lessons). Send one check from your studio, payable to KCMTAfor the initial group of students. After the deadline, if more students can be scheduled, you will receive further instructions regarding additional enrollment and payment procedures. Students ranging from intermediate through the advanced playing levels are welcome (if you are unsure about how to classify your student, please feel welcome to contact VP of Master Lessons, Nicholas Dold directly at doldni@william.jewell.edu). Students traditionally play 1-3 pieces. In order for a student to be selected for the Recital and/or Master Class, solo selections must be memorized. Memorization is NOT required for selections with multiple performers (duets, duo, chamber ensembles). Lessons on Friday Sept 29, Saturday Sept 30, and Monday Oct 2 will be held at Steinway Piano Gallery of Kansas City. (9512 Marshall Drive, Lenexa KS) The Master Lessons Recital will take place Sunday, October 1, at 2:30 p.m. in White Recital Hall in the UMKC Performing Arts Center
The Master Class/Teacher Workshop with Sandra Rivers will take place Tuesday morning, October 3, at 10:00 AM in Tuyli Shire Hall at the Music Academy of Kansas City (9339 W. 87th Street, Overland Park KS). Send your completed forms and ONE check payable to “KCMTA” to: