1542535778
The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

Advertise on podcast: The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
17 reviews
This podcast has
225 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Yukimi Song
Explicit
No
Date created
2020/11/29
Latest episode
2026/04/21
Average duration
45 min.
Release period
6 days

Description

...where tradition meets innovation. Together, we bring PIANO into the FUTURE. a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music Hey, 🎹 enthusiasts out there! My name is Yukimi, a classical pianist and educator from NYC and executive producer of The Piano Pod. The Piano Pod🎙 is a one-of-a-kind podcast that delves deep into the fascinating world of classical music, with a specific focus on the 🎹 piano. In a biweekly format, the show explores intriguing discussions with guests breaking exciting new ground in the classical music industry. The Piano Pod aims to nurture a thriving community that embraces innovative approaches to ensure classical music's relevance and vitality in today's dynamic landscape. "How can I present the beautiful tradition of classical music to the 21st-century audience in a fun, contemporary, and engaging way?" When I started building a piano studio in the trendy neighborhood of Downtown Manhattan in 2007 while in the NYU graduate program in piano studies, I began to ponder this question. I realized the stark difference in expectations toward classical music and music education between music professionals and the general public. Then, one of the NYU music department's professors suggested I start a podcast: the platform would allow classical musicians to address this disparity and spark conversations about audience engagement. Finally, fast forward to 10+ years later, The Piano Pod was born in the summer of 2020. Since then, I have had the privilege of interviewing A-listers in the classical music industry: international concert pianists, composers, arrangers, digital streamers/influencers, music educators, entrepreneurs, neurodiverse specialists, and performance psychologists. Through fascinating conversations, we have explored how classical music should continue to evolve to remain relevant to our lifestyle, society, and culture. Over the past three seasons, The Piano Pod has achieved remarkable success by reaching faithful listeners on audio platforms and viewers via YouTube. As the show is celebrating the past season's achievements and gearing toward the new season in the fall, my mission as the Executive Producer is crystal clear: to provide a platform for classical musicians and educators to reflect and discuss ways to keep our industry robust and meaningful in this ever-changing world and move it forward in the post-pandemic era. 🔗Follow TPP on social media accounts to get the latest news about 🎹. Thanks for listening♥️🎹

Unlock The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music podcast


Joy Luck Trio -- Groundbreaking Pipa-Erhu-Piano Trio
2026/04/21
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we welcome Joy Luck Trio — a newly formed ensemble bringing together pianist Donna Weng Friedman, pipa virtuoso Gao Hong, and erhu virtuoso Karen Han-Ottosson. Together, these three Chinese-American artists unite piano, pipa, and erhu in a rare chamber collaboration rooted in heritage and shaped by contemporary expression. In this conversation, we explore how the trio first came together, the histories and sound worlds of the pipa and erhu, what makes these instruments distinct from Western strings, and the remarkable artistic journeys that led each member to this moment. We also discuss Gao Hong’s expansive career as a pipa virtuoso and composer, Karen Han’s work on major Hollywood soundtracks, Donna’s recent creative accomplishments, and the trio’s artistic vision, repertoire, and the origin of the name Joy Luck Trio. This episode is about identity, reinvention, artistry, and the excitement of building something new after decades of achievement. 📖 Read the Meet Our Guest Blog🌐 Joy Luck Trio Facebook🌐 Gao Hong (Pipa Virtuoso, Composer)🌐 Karen Han-Ottosson (Erhu Virtuoso)🌐 Donna Weng Friedman (Pianist, Filmmaker)📱 Follow The Piano Pod 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content https://thepianopod.substack.com🎵 Sounds of Inspiration (all the music mentioned in Season 6: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa📫 Join Our Newsletter https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe🌐 Website https://thepianopod.com🔗 All Links https://linktr.ee/thepianopod🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, artistry, and the future of classical music.
Official Trailer: Season 6 Episode 16 feat. Joy Luck Trio
2026/04/21
What happens when piano, pipa, and erhu come together in one ensemble? Tonight on The Piano Pod, meet Joy Luck Trio — Donna Weng Friedman, Gao Hong, and Karen Han-Ottosson — three acclaimed artists creating a bold new chamber voice rooted in heritage, virtuosity, and contemporary expression. In this powerful conversation, we explore the origins of the trio, the fascinating histories of the pipa and erhu, remarkable careers spanning concert halls and film soundtracks, and the excitement of building something entirely new together. 🎬 Full episode premieres tonight at 8 PM ET https://youtu.be/3ckAaOLwkjs?si=zxd26EgPelhvrvGe 🎧 Audio released simultaneously: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-piano-pod-a-global-hub-for-innovation/id1542535778 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6tVYe2x1yILfaJm1yjyt2P?si=6e315e2c003b49a6 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fcedc315-c5b7-42d9-b1c9-7eb97b5b290d/the-piano-pod---a-global-hub-for-innovation-education-and-connection-in-classical-piano-music See you tonight. #ThePianoPod #JoyLuckTrio #Pipa #Erhu #Piano #MusicPodcast #ClassicalMusic #ChineseAmericanArtists
The Sound of Perseus feat. Composer & Conductor Michael Ostrzyga
2026/04/07
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by composer, conductor, & Music Director at Univeristy of Cologne, Michael Ostrzyga His work spans composition, conducting, editorial scholarship, and large-scale projects — but this conversation centers on his piano writing, especially his recent solo album Perseus. Together, we explore how music begins — whether from structure, memory, or sound itself — and how these ideas shape a body of work that moves between tradition and exploration. We also discuss his pedagogical work Der singende Wind, his early musical formation, and his recent arrangement of Beethoven’s Mass in C for four-hand piano and harmonium, commissioned by the Harvard Choruses. This episode offers a deeper look into the relationship between structure and intuition, and how personal experience finds its way into music. 📖 Read our blog🌐 Michael Ostrzyga — Official Website🎧 Listen to his music (Spotify):💿 Album — Perseus📘 Der singende Wind - the Singing Wind (Breitkopf & Härtel):🎼 Beethoven Mass in C arrangement - article🎥 Harvard performance of Beethoven's Mass in C[THE PIANO POD] 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content🎵 Season 6 Piano Playlist (piano music mentioned in Season 6)📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 Website📱 Follow The Piano PodInstagram: https://instagram.com/thepianopodFacebook: https://facebook.com/thepianopodTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thepianopod🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
Official Trailer: Season 6 Eps.15, The Sound of Perseus feat. Michael Ostrzyga, Composer
2026/04/07
Here is the trailer for Season 6, Episode 15 of The Piano Pod. Guest: Michael Ostrzyga — Composer & Conductor In this episode, we explore his piano writing, centered around his album Perseus — a body of work shaped by structure, memory, and lived experience. In our conversation, we talked about: where music begins — sound, structure, or something more intuitive how memory finds its way into composition expanding the language of the piano writing for different kinds of performers how personal experience shapes artistic work 🎥 YouTube Premiere tonight at 8:00 PM ET (April 7): https://youtu.be/M_932Hlo-Xg?si=UB8J69nP3tM03Fyi 🎧 Audio (available on all platforms): https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio 📕Read our blog about Michael Ostrzyga: https://thepianopod.substack.com/p/meet-our-guest-michael-ostrzyga-composer Join us tonight.
The Infinite Staircase feat. Concert Pianist, Han Chen
2026/03/24
In this episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Han Chen joins TPP for a deep conversation about virtuosity, vision, and what it means to build something meaningful in today’s classical music landscape. Han Chen is a GRAMMY Award–nominated pianist known for his fearless approach to some of the most demanding repertoire in the piano canon — from György Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études to Beethoven’s Hammerklavier. His recent recording of Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with conductor John Jeter and the Malmö Opera Orchestra has brought renewed attention to one of the most compelling American concertos of the 20th century. Beyond performance, Han is also a curator and creator. His large-scale project Infinite Staircase pairs all 18 Ligeti Études with 18 newly commissioned works by living composers, expanding the repertoire while rethinking what a piano program can be. This episode offers a rare look into the mind of a pianist who is not only performing at the highest level, but actively shaping the future of classical music. In This Episode, We Talk About Florence Price and the legacy of her Piano ConcertoLigeti’s Complete Piano Études and technical/interpretive challengesInfinite Staircase — a 36-work project pairing Ligeti with new commissionsCreative programming as artistic identityCommissioning new music and working with living composersJuilliard training and mentorship under Yoheved KaplinskyExpanding the role of the pianist in today’s classical music worldLearn More About Han Chen WebsiteInstagramMeet Our Guest: Han Chen The Piano Pod Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive ContentSubscribe to the Season 6 Piano Playlist — a collection of every piano work mentioned throughout the episodes Join Our NewsletterWebsiteInstagramFacebook🔗 All Links
Official Trailer ✅: The Infinite Staircase feat. GRAMMY-nominated Pianist Han Chen
2026/03/24
Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode with GRAMMY-nominated pianist Han Chen. From mastering Ligeti to building Infinite Staircase, this conversation goes beyond performance — into vision, risk, and creating something that lasts. 🎥 Premieres tonight at 8 PM ET: https://youtu.be/2JqDeHYSk58?si=QgFPTfWf0ch_7WBl 🎧 Audio: https://linktr.ee/thepianopodaudio Read Our Blog: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-han-chen-concert-pianist?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Accents of Love feat. Pianist and Singer-Songwriter, Vivian Fang Liu
2026/03/17
Accents of Love: Vivian Fang Liu on Artistry, Belonging, and Music for the Next Generation The Piano Pod — Season 6, Episode 13 In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer, educator, and music researcher Vivian Fang Liu joins host Yukimi Song for a powerful conversation about identity, creativity, and the role of music in shaping the next generation. Vivian Fang Liu is a classically trained pianist whose work spans classical performance, cross-genre songwriting, children’s music, and music education research. Her award-winning children’s album Accents of Love (2023) invites young listeners to celebrate their voices, languages, and identities through imaginative storytelling and vibrant musical production. Throughout the conversation, Vivian shares the inspiration behind her children’s music, her journey immigrating to the United States at age fifteen, and how themes of belonging, cultural identity, and resilience shape both her artistry and her educational work. This episode explores how music can empower children to embrace who they are while also building bridges across cultures and communities. Listen to Vivian Fang Liu Chinese Pop OriginalChildren's Music BelongI Is LoveTalk to the Fishes with Your Inner VoiceSilenceAll Accents Are ArtLearn More About Vivian Fang Liu Website Instagram SpotifyMeet Our Guest: Vivian Fang Liu https://substack.com/home/post/p-190096545 The Piano Pod 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content 📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 Website
Official Trailer for Season 6 Eps.13 Vivian Fang Liu
2026/03/17
Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode of The Piano Pod. Concert pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer Vivian Fang Liu joins us for a powerful conversation about music, identity, and belonging. From her award-winning children’s albums to cross-genre artistry shaped by classical piano, Vivian shares how her work brings together performance, storytelling, and education to empower the next generation. 🎥 Full episode premieres tonight, March 17, at 8 PM ET on YouTube.https://youtu.be/bH4YCXAZX5M 🎧 The audio episode will be released simultaneously on all podcast platforms. We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring conversation. #ThePianoPod #VivianFangLiu #AccentsOfLove #PodcastPremiere #MusicAndIdentity
"Sapiens: A Human History at the Piano" feat. Sean Hickey, Composer
2026/02/25
Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book. From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this episode explores what it means to create — and remain human — in a rapidly changing world. Performed by pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev, Sapiens translates big philosophical questions into sound, structure, and silence. This conversation moves from macro-history to the deeply personal — from Detroit and electric guitar to leading major recording labels — and ultimately asks: What allows music to endure? 📺 Watch the 2/1/24 premiere of A Brief History of Humankind at Klavierhaus, NYC (Vladimir Rumyantsev) HERE🎧 Listen to Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for Solo Piano 📺 Watch the Trailer for Recorder Concerto “A Pacifying Weapon” (Recorder: Michala Petri | Royal Danish Academy of Music Concert Band | Jean Thorel)📚 Read “Release Rationale, Why and Why Now” From Harari’s sweeping vision of human history to the realities of AI in today’s music industry, this episode centers on one enduring question: How do we remain authentic — and human — in the age of acceleration? If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to support independent classical media. [SEAN HICKEY - Composer and Record Label Executive] 🌐 Website: https://seanhickey.com 📝 Read our blog about Sean[THE PIANO POD] 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content https://thepianopod.substack.com 📫 Join Our Newsletter https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe/ 🌐 Website https://thepianopod.com 📱 Follow The Piano Pod https://linktr.ee/thepianopod Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.
Official Trailer: "Sapiens - A Human History on the Piano feat. Sean Hickey
2026/02/23
🎥 Here is the trailer for our new eps featuring Sean Hickey, Composer/Record Label Executive Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for the Piano — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book. From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this conversation explores what it means to create — and remain human — in a rapidly accelerating world. Performed by pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev, Sapiens translates sweeping philosophical questions into sound, structure, and silence. This episode moves from macro-history to the deeply personal — from Detroit and electric guitar to leading major international record labels — and ultimately asks: What allows music to endure? 📆 Join the premiere tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24, at 8:00 PM ET. 📺 Set a reminder and join us live via YouTube: https://youtu.be/sx0nR48wNYg 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platforms: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio 📖 Read our blog review on Substack: https://thepianopod.substack.com/p/meet-our-guest-sean-hickey-composer
"Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship" Pavlina Dokovska on Pedagogy, Leadership, and the Mannes International Piano Festival
2026/02/18
This surprise bonus episode was created in collaboration with Mannes School of Music at The New School. In this conversation, I sit down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — to explore what it truly means to build artists in today’s musical and cultural moment. We discuss serious piano study, long-term mentorship, artistic identity, and the role institutions play in shaping the next generation of musicians. Toward the end of the episode, you will also hear from Jiwon Yang, current Mannes graduate student and First Prize winner of the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, sharing her experience studying in downtown Manhattan and participating in the festival. 🎹 Mannes International Piano Festival📝 Festival Application🏫 Mannes School of Music at The New School📝 Meet Our Guest — Pavlina Dokovska: ABOUT THE PIANO POD 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 TPP Website📱 Follow The Piano Pod🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.
Official Trailer: Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship feat. Pavlina Dokovska
2026/02/17
🚨 Bonus Episode Drops Tonight Here’s the trailer. Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship with Pavlina Dokovska What does it really take to build an artist? In this special collaboration, The Piano Pod sits down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — for a candid conversation on serious piano study, mentorship, and artistic formation. We discuss: • Why long-term training still matters • Balancing rigor and humanity in teaching • How community shapes resilient musicians • The vision behind the Mannes International Piano Festival You’ll also hear from Jiwon Yang, a Mannes graduate student and First Prize winner of the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, on what it feels like to train in an environment defined by intensity and support. 🎧 Premiering tonight at 8:00 PM ET 📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/pMt6Jb-zOD4 🎙 Audio platforms: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio A conversation about leadership, responsibility, and how artists are formed.
“Fearless Vision” Asiya Korepanova on Extreme Repertoire, Interdisciplinary Creation, and Artistic Risk
2026/02/11
In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with pianist, composer, visual artist, and poet Asiya Korepanova for a wide-ranging conversation on extreme repertoire, transcription as a creative act, long-form artistic commitment, and what it means to think at scale as a musician today. Born into a deeply musical family in Izhevsk, Russia, and now based in the United States, Asiya’s career is defined by projects many would consider “impossible”: performing the complete solo piano works of Rachmaninoff during the composer’s 150th-anniversary year, Liszt’s 24 Études, and Bach’s complete Well-Tempered Clavier. In this conversation, Asiya reflects on what draws her to repertoire that unfolds over years rather than hours, and how long-form thinking shapes her artistic identity. A central focus of the episode is Asiya’s work as a transcriber. She speaks candidly about transcription as a form of composition—an act she once described as “taming a wild animal”—and how her deep understanding of orchestral, vocal, and chamber music informs the way she reimagines works for solo piano. We hear excerpts from her transcriptions of Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, alongside reflections on craft, risk, and responsibility. The conversation also explores Asiya’s work beyond performance: her compositions, her multidisciplinary projects that integrate visual art and poetry, her commitment to education and access through her nonprofit Music for Minds, and her curatorial leadership at Festival Baltimore and Festival Flatiron NYC. This episode offers a rare, unfiltered look into the inner life of an artist whose work is driven not by spectacle, but by depth, rigor, and fearless vision. 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES Asiya Korepanova — Official Website Asiya's Merch on EtsySounds of Inspiration — Piano Works from Season 6 (Music mentioned in this episode) Read the accompanying blog on Substack 🎧 THE PIANO POD 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock exclusive content 📫 Join our newsletter🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.comFollow Us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
Official Trailer: "Fearless Vision" feat. Asiya Korepanova, Pianist/Composer/Visual Artist
2026/02/09
🎬 Official Trailer — Fearless Visionwith Asiya Korepanova For our upcoming episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with Asiya Korepanova — pianist, composer, visual artist, and poet — for a deep conversation on long-form artistic commitment, transcription as a creative act, and what it means to build a life in music shaped by depth, curiosity, and fearless vision. Asiya is known for her daring piano transcriptions and for taking on extreme repertoire, including the complete solo piano works of Rachmaninoff and Liszt’s 24 Études. In this episode, she reflects on why she is drawn to projects that unfold over years rather than hours, and how imagination, rigor, and responsibility intersect in her artistic life. 📅 Episode Premiere: Tuesday, February 10 ⏰ 8:00 PM ET 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thepianopod🎧 Audio episode drops simultaneously: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio📝 Meet Our Guest — Asiya Korepanova (Blog)🌐 Asiya Korepanova — Official Website Join us for a conversation that goes beyond performance — into process, scale, and artistic vision.
Mirrors & Echoes: Aïda Lahlou on Ravel, Risk, and Reframing Tradition
2026/01/28
In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with pianist, recording artist, and multidisciplinary creator Aïda Lahlou for an in-depth conversation on Ravel’s Miroirs, sound as physical reality, and what it means to build an artistic life through curiosity, risk, and purpose. At the center of the conversation is Aïda’s debut album, Mirrors and Echoes—a recording that places Ravel’s Miroirs as its reflective core, surrounded by carefully curated piano miniatures from across cultures and centuries. Rather than treating the album as a collection of pieces, Aïda speaks about programming as experience: sequencing, resonance, and how sound can function as landscape rather than emotional narrative. We also explore her broader artistic practice—from environmental engagement and rethinking institutional success, to her one-woman show blending stand-up comedy with solo piano performance, and her advocacy for the return of the modern impresario / creative producer in today’s classical music ecosystem. 🎧 Listen to Aïda's album, Mirrors and Echoes, on Spotify📝 Meet Our Guest — Aïda Lahlou: Read the accompanying blog exploring Mirrors and Echoes and Aïda’s artistic vision🎧 THE PIANO POD 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock exclusive content HERE.📫 Join our newsletter HERE🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod

Podcast reviews

Read The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music podcast reviews


5 out of 5
17 reviews

Podcast sponsorship advertising

Start advertising on The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music relevant audience podcasts


What do you want to promote?