Today we’d like to introduce you to Yan Shen.
Yan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
I started learning piano when I was 6 years old. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance from one of the major conservatories in China. Upon graduation, I accepted a position as a member of the piano faculty at the Guangzhou Conservatory of Music, China. After 5 years of working as a Professor of Piano and chamber music coach, I decided to change my life. I resigned from my position, the one that everyone wants, in order to pursue a Doctoral degree in the United States.
I spent 5 years on my Doctoral degree in collaborative piano and another 2 years on an Artist Diploma in solo piano performance, both at the Moores School of Music, University of Houston with Professor Timothy Hester. Currently, I work part-time as a staff pianist at the Moores School, I also own a private teaching studio with around 20 private students. At the same time, I work as a concert pianist.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s never been easy for me to be what I am now. I am the only musician in my family, my parents tried hard to make me be as normal as other people; to have a stable job and a normal family with kids, etc. When I decided to quit my job in China and come to the United States, my parents asked everybody around to persuade me not to leave. But I knew I had to follow my heart, not anyone else’s wishes.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Concert Pianist – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a concert pianist and what sets you apart from others.
As a concert pianist, my work covers a range of activities. In the United States, I play both solo concerts and chamber music concerts with distinguished artists and ensembles, such as the Rodrieg Ensemble, the Francoeur Chamber Music Society, Da Camera of Houston, among others. I have also recently recorded my first solo album, titled Fantasy | Sonata | Elegy, which has received very strong reviews. During the summertime, I am generally touring in China and Hong Kong for performances and teaching at festivals. In addition, I recently I founded a piano-violin duo, the “MAYA DUO” with a fantastic French violinist Marie Pallot and now summer concert touring will include Europe.
What I am most proud of about myself, I guess are my fast learning abilities. I sight reading quite fast, which saves a lot of practicing time. I have also accumulated a significant amount of chamber repertoire since I have worked as a collaborative pianist for more than 20 years. As a solo pianist, I think I have my special way of delivering my heart through my music, which is perhaps why my audiences can feel touched by my playing.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least about Houston?
Houston has fantastic scenes for the arts and music. I love to go to the symphony, ballet, opera, concerts of other colleagues. I also enjoy Houston’s huge China town which keeps me from being homesick. What I like least about the city, I think would be the inconvenience of public transportation and the difficulty getting around such a large city…….
Contact Info:
- Website: yanshen-piano.com
- Instagram: Yan Shen
- Facebook: Yan Shen/MAYA DUO
- Other: YouTube Channel: Yan Shen
Image Credit:
Hanqing Zhou
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
