William Yang (pianist)
William Yang | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 13, 2001 Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA |
| Education | Curtis Institute of Music Juilliard School |
| Occupation | Pianist |
| Awards |
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| Website | www |
William Yang (born May 13, 2001) is an American pianist who was the winner of the 6th prize at the XIX International Chopin Piano Competition in 2025.
Early life and education
Yang was born on May 13, 2001. He started learning piano at the age of 4, and at 10 years old, he described himself as a "classical purist" and love for pianist André Watts. He performed with the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and was a featured soloist in NPR’s From the Top Show in 2010.[1] He studied with Alexander Korsantia at the New England Conservatory, Hung-Kuan Chen, Hans Boepple, and others in his youth.[2]
He studied under Robert McDonald at the Curtis Institute of Music for his bachelor's degree and was a Kovner Fellow at The Juilliard School. [3] He is currently studying at the Yale School of Music under Korsantia.
Career
In 2025, William Yang won first prize at the 2025 National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami, Florida.[4][5] He was able to receive a recording project with the Steinway label and performed in the Carnegie Hall following the competition. [6] New York Classical Review described his playing as "A musician who essentially disappears behind the music, and there’s an effortlessness to his playing that brings the focus away from him and toward the notes."[7] In October 2025, Yang achieved sixth prize at the XIX International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.[8] He was able to perform with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.[9]
References
- ^ "Q&A witih C.J.: Pianist William Yang just wants to be able to play". startribune.com. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "William Yang". hhpic.org. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "A tale of two world-class Twin Cities pianists". Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "William Yang ('23) and Nathanial Zhang Win Top Prizes at 11th National Chopin Piano Competition". curtis.edu. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "William Yang '19 Wins National Chopin Piano Competition". walnuthillarts.org. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "William Yang". chopin.org. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Grella, George (18 June 2025). "Chopin winner Yang displays the art that conceals art in Carnegie debut". newyorkclassicalreview.com. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "William Yang performs an all-Chopin concert at the Chopin Society". yourclassical.org. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "William Yang". chopincompetition.pl. Retrieved 8 February 2026.