Clara Yang
Head of Keyboard Studies; Associate Professor
Praised by Fanfare as “a first-rate pianist who isn’t afraid of challenges,” Chinese-American Pianist Clara Yang has performed in notable venues such as Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York), Auditorio Nacional de Musica (Madrid), the Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing), Remonstrantse Kerk (The Netherlands), the Seymour Centre (Sydney, Australia), the Barclay Theater (Irvine, California), Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theater (Rochester, New York), the Sunset Center (Carmel, California), Memorial Hall (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), Meymandi Concert Hall (Raleigh, North Carolina), and in series such as Carolina Performing Arts, Dame Myra Hess (Chicago Cultural Center), and Museu d’Història de Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain). She is currently Associate Professor of Music and Head of Keyboard Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Besides performing the traditional repertoire, Dr. Yang is also an avid contemporary and new music interpreter. The distinguished composer Chen Yi composed the piano concerto Four Spirits for her in 2016. Dr. Yang performed the U.S. premiere of the concerto with the distinguished conductor Maestro Long Yu (余隆) leading the China Philharmonic Orchestra (中国爱乐乐团) in the Carolina Performing Arts series in December 2016. She performed the world premiere of this work with Maestro Huang Yi conducting the China Philharmonic in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. In addition, she performed Phillip Glass’s etudes along with the composer himself, Timo Andres, and other renowned artists in the Glass at 80 festival in 2017. She recorded Lee Weisert’s Érard, which was written for her, for Weisert’s album Wild Arc on the New Focus label. Dr. Yang served on the Artist Panel for New Music USA in 2015.
Concert highlights as a concerto soloist include performances with the European Union Youth Orchestra under Vladimir Ashkenazy, the China Philharmonic Orchestra under Long Yu and Huang Yi, the Eastman Philharmonia under Jeff Tyzik, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra under Carl St. Clair, numerous appearances with the North Carolina Symphony under Grant Llewellyn, the Charlottesville Symphony with Laura Jackson, and the Longview Symphony under Tonu Kalam. Most recently, she performed with the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Spanish conductor Josep Caballe Domenech, and she also performed with the top Symphonic Band in Spain, Banda Sinfonica Municipal de Madrid.
Her solo album Folding Time (Albany Records) was supported by New Music USA, Carolina Performing Arts, and the UNC Publication and research grants. She worked with Grammy Award-winning recording engineer Matthew Snyder and recorded in Memorial Hall, NC. This album won a Global Music Awards Gold Medal and received rave reviews from Fanfare, New York Arts, and American Record Guide. Her cello-piano duo album Grieg and Prokofiev (Albany Records) with Los Angeles Opera cellist Helen Zheng Altenbach was released in 2014. It has been aired on Montana Public Radio KUFM 89.1 FM, Women in Music CKWR FM 98.5 (Canada), and WCPE 89.7 FM (North Carolina) with a featured interview. Her live solo recitals and performances were broadcast on ABC Classic FM in Australia and New Zealand, 98.7 WFMT, and on Wayne Picciano’s “Grand Piano” series, which was broadcast on television in multiple states across the country.
As a guest artist, Dr. Yang has given solo recitals in numerous major conservatories and universities internationally, including the Musical College of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia, King’s College London, the Liceu Conservatory, the Cervera Conservatory, and the Manresa Conservatory in Spain, the Beijing Central Conservatory, the Shanghai Conservatory, and the Central Conservatory Piano Academy in Xiamen, China. She has performed in renowned music festivals such as the Music Academy of the West, the Sarasota Music Festival, the International Holland Music Sessions, and the Aspen Music Festival. An avid chamber musician, she has collaborated with artists such as members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
A sought-after teacher, Dr. Yang has frequently given masterclasses in the United States and abroad in major universities and conservatories such as the Liceu Conservatory in Spain, King’s College London, and Duke University in North Carolina. Her students have won top prizes in state, national, and international competitions. She was featured as one of the three scholars in the acclaimed Chinese national magazine Globe in 2014.
Dr. Yang received her D.M.A. in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music, where she was a student of Nelita True. She studied with Claude Frank at the Yale School of Music (M.M., Artist Diploma) and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California as a student of John Perry.
– Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare
“This lovely recital by Chinese-American pianist Clara Yang speaks to the core of what a musical heart means by romance. It might easily have been all-Chopin or all-Schumann, and we would surely come away beguiled by Yang’s light, fluid take on 1840s sparkle and sentiment. But how much better to ‘fold time’ in upon itself and mix in from our own day pieces which speak to the same ardor, ebullience, and nostalgia. The emotional origami of love and loss works in any century, after all…Among the newer works, a real find is Robert Muczynski’s Maverick Pieces…These are short, gleaming, clever, and sonorous pieces, delivered effortlessly and beautifully. I can’t stop playing them!”
– Steven Kruger, New York Arts
“Ms. Yang brought out the subtle variation of color. and the shifts in rhythmic patterns were performed with clarity and the kind of supple freedom that even the most refined orchestral conductor could hardly match…She combined impressive keyboard prowess with probing emotional depth and daring individuality through to the thunderous conclusion. Ms. Yang thoughtfully attended to unraveling Schubert’s musical intent, while giving the score a vividly personalized interpretation. ”
– Joe Sekon, Peninsula Reviews
“The pianist for the Rachmaninoff was Chinese-born Clara Yang, now a highly acclaimed UNC music faculty member and recitalist, seemingly too young for the weight of her accomplishments, but extremely effective in the piece. I admired her two years ago, when she performed Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Vladimir Ashkenazy and his European Union Youth Orchestra…Clara Yang’s technique was effortless and smooth, and her rendition of the famous 18th Variation romantically memorable. It was wildly and deservedly well received by the audience.”
– Steven Kruger, New York Arts
“Clara Yang ended the concert with an interpretation imbued with introspection, strength, power and delicacy of Schumann’s Humoreske…A precise articulation served by a thoughtful and musical vision captured the poetry, the abrupt mood changes, and the energy and passion that flew from the Schumann’s staves.”
– Santi Riu, Segre (Cevera, Spain)
“Yang’s technical skill and artistic sensibility were apparent throughout this performance. At times her fingers moved as fast as seemed humanly possible. Her powerful expression of the Dies Irae plainchant quoted in variation 7 was spine-chilling while the orchestra accompanied with a slower version of the opening motif of the Paganini theme. The mystical quality of variation 17 was enhanced by Yang’s delicate and sensitive touch. The glorious sweeping melody of the 18th variation, had it been an aria in an opera, would have been a show-stopper. Both orchestra and soloist put their all into this extravagant moment which is a peak of romanticism. The closing variations were a blazing and brilliant comet for both orchestra and soloist.”
– Ken Hoover, Classical Voice of North Carolina
“Zheng and Yang play (Grieg Cello Sonata) with great intensity and romantic overtones. By comparison, the 2002 rendition by cellist Truls Mørk and pianist Håvard Gimse on Erato is far too restrained and refined… Zheng and Yang have a new recording that demonstrates their virtuosity and depth of interpretation in excellent sound. I recommend it to chamber music buffs everywhere. “
– Maria Nockin, Fanfare
“She revealed breath-taking technical prowess and keen interpretive insights”
– Classical Voice of North Carolina
“Clara Yang’s recital was an outstanding achievement. Thank you for giving us great pleasure and reason for admiration.”
– Claude Frank
“She demonstrated a superb technique and extraordinary musical understanding.”– Peninsula Reviews”How could one not be impressed by the technical solidity, investment and concentration demanded throughout Clara Yang’s recital?…This recital was an impressive accomplishment.”
– Michael Friedmann
Folding Time. Clara Yang, piano. Albany Records, 2015. TROY1572
Grieg and Prokofiev. Clara Yang, piano; Xiao-Dan Zheng, cello. Albany Records, 2014. TROY1485.
Dr. Yang has given masterclasses and lectures in many major conservatories and universities, such as King’s College London, the Liceu Conservatory in Spain, the Musical College of the Moscow Conservatory, and the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Her students have won top awards in international, national, and state competitions. Recently her UNC students won the first prize at the MTNA Stecher Horowitz Two-Piano Competition national finals. Her students have performed in Carnegie Hall and on renowned series such as Carolina Performing Arts, and they have been accepted into top universities and conservatories for graduate studies. Below are comments from UNC students.
“After four years of teaching, I can easily say that she has been the most impactful professor of my college experience, teaching my far beyond expectation and course subject. She is able to connect with students outside of the classroom, establishing a trust with her students –necessary as learning an instrument can often be a stressful and sensitive practice. In terms of her teaching style, she is positive and honest without being overly complementary. She pushes you and has no problem telling you what you need to improve, but she does so in a way that makes you take ownership for your playing. She suggests improvements while also allowing her students to explore their own ideas about a piece, something I particularly appreciate.”
“She is truly dedicated to seeing her students succeed. I gave my first recital this semester, and knowing how nervous I was, Dr. Yang dedicated extra lesson time to make sure I was ready, as well as numerous conversations about managing nerves and the purposes of sharing music. Dr. Yang is able to bring talent out of you that you didn’t know you had, and creates an extremely curious and friendly environment in which to do so.”
“Dr. Yang is by far one of the most influential professors I’ve had at UNC. Having studied with her for four years, I’ve felt that I have grown tremendously as a musician. Lessons are productive, mentally engaging, and simply fun. She brings insightful and effective feedback, incorporating multiple aspects from techniques for practicing technically difficult sections, relating theory and structure to style and musicality, to even abstract philosophical discussions about the value of music and the emotions it can evoke. Her teaching style is encouraging, friendly, and relatable–inspiring, yet rarely intimidating. In giving suggestions and criticism, she is always clear and never demeaning or dismissive. Dr. Yang is a fantastic teacher and has been a huge factor in my success and enjoyment studying at UNC.”
“Dr. Yang is hands down the best piano teacher I have had. She is excellent at both being critical and encouraging about your work. She’s a teacher you want to do well for just because you respect her so much. ”
“You have been such an amazing teacher, friend, and inspiration these past two years. Words can’t express how thankful I am!”
“I just want to thank you for being an amazing teacher the last few years. I would not be where I am as a pianist now without your guidance and persistence.”
- Office: 2011 Kenan Music Building
- Email: cyang18@email.unc.edu
- Phone: 919-843-7962
- Artist Site: www.clarayangpiano.com
- Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/clarayangpianist
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Instagram: @clarayangpiano