Draft:William Yang
American pianist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Yang (born May 13, 2001) is an American classical pianist. He won first prize at the National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami in 2025 and later received sixth prize at the XIX International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw.[2]
Early life and education
Yang was born and raised in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.[3] He began piano studies at the age of four and gave his first public performances at the age of seven.[4]
He later studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, graduating in 2023.[5] Yang continued his studies at The Juilliard School in New York as a Kovner Fellow, studying with Robert McDonald.[6][7] His earlier teachers have included Alexander Korsantia and Paul Wirth.[2]
Career
Yang made his orchestral debut with the Minnesota Orchestra at age nine.[8] He has since appeared as soloist with ensembles such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra.[2]
Following his victory at the National Chopin Piano Competition in January 2025, Yang embarked on a concert tour sponsored by the Chopin Foundation, including his New York debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in June 2025.[2][9] He has appeared at festivals and recital series in the United States, including the Sanibel Music Festival, Lancaster International Piano Festival and other regional series.[10]
In October 2025 he competed in the XIX International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. Out of eleven finalists, Yang was awarded sixth prize, one of the top distinctions at the competition.[11]
Repertoire and reception
Yang is particularly associated with the music of Frédéric Chopin. His competition programs have featured works such as the Polonaise-Fantaisie, Op. 61, the piano concertos, and numerous mazurkas, sonatas and shorter pieces.[5][2]
Reviewers have commented on the clarity and naturalness of his playing. A 2025 review for the Frederic Chopin Society in Minnesota described his sound as clear and unforced, with an approach that draws attention to the music rather than to the performer.[12]
Awards and honors
- 2nd Prize, Midwest International Piano Competition (2014)[10]
- 6th Prize, Thomas & Evon Cooper International Piano Competition (2018)[10]
- Special Bach Prize, Cleveland International Piano Competition (2015)[2]
- 1st Prize, 11th National Chopin Piano Competition, Miami (2025), plus prizes for best mazurka and best sonata performances[2][13]
- 6th Prize, XIX International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, Warsaw (2025)[11]