Jixue Yang
Jixue Yang, a distinguished contemporary classical pianist based in New York City, is celebrated for her versatile repertoire that spans various eras and styles, reflecting a fusion of Eastern and Western influences. As the first Chinese citizen admitted to the Manhattan School of Music's Contemporary Performance Program, she has played a pivotal role in introducing experimental contemporary music to Chinese audiences.
Born in 1993 in China, Jixue's musical journey has been marked by a rich classical training. She attended the Middle School attached to Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music, consistently earning the highest scholarships. During her time at Massachusetts’ Walnut Hill School for the Arts, she was inducted into the Bigelow Society, recognizing her artistic and academic excellence. As part of a piano trio, she performed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Jixue Yang's performances have left an indelible mark on audiences across the globe, with recent concerts in Boston, New York, Knoxville, Shanghai, Wuhan, Beijing, Zhangzhou, and Fuzhou. Notable appearances include the Nief-Norf Summer Music Festival, NYU Pulsing & Shaking Festival, and the SinusTon Electronic Music Festival in Germany. In 2023, she earned international recognition, securing awards such as the Gold Award at the Singapore International Music Competition, Pianist of The Season at the AD LIBITUM Piano Competition, and the Second Prize at the Charleston International Music Competition.
As an active chamber musician, Jixue contributes her talents as the pianist/keyboardist for NYC’s InfraSound, electroacoustic trio Apply Triangle, and Ensemble Blackbox. The ensemble Apply Triangle received the Ensemble Forward Grant from Chamber Music America in 2021.
Jixue holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music and is currently pursuing her D.M.A. in Piano Performance at the same institution. Her impressive roster of teachers includes Hung Kuan Chen, Margaret Kampmeier, Phillip Kawin, Anthony de Mare, Solomon Mikowsky, Christopher Oldfather, and Inesa Sinkevych. Jixue has not only excelled in performance but also in education, serving as a Teaching Assistant in the Keyboard Skills Department at MSM's college division since 2019. Besides teaching piano at Zeta Charter Schools, she has shared her insights through lectures at various institutions, including Horace Mann School, Bowling Green State University, University of Florida, and Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar. In 2022, she was invited to be the final jury at the Pacific Stars International Piano Competition. Jixue Yang continues to make a significant impact on the classical music scene with her remarkable artistry, dedication to education, and exploration of innovative musical expressions.