Concert Star Music Competition 2025 LA district July & Educational Partner
Dr. Yaqi Wang
Founder of Concert Star Organization
Vice President of International Classical Music Alliance (ICMA)
Steinway & Son Teacher & Educational Partner
Yaqi Wang is a distinguished pianist, educator, and arts administrator who is completing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Kansas (anticipated Dec 2024). She holds a Graduate Professional Diploma from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, a Master of Music from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Music from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music.
An accomplished performer, Yaqi has captivated audiences at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Curtis Theatre, and the ICMA Music Festival at Pepperdine University in Malibu.
A passionate scholar, Yaqi has actively participated in national and international academic conferences. She has presented at the MTNA National Conference, the Matthay Piano Festival, and academic forums at Cornell University, where she shared her research in piano pedagogy and performance practice.
As a dedicated educator, Yaqi runs her own studio in California, where she has developed curricula for exam preparation and group instruction, mentored fellow instructors, and served as a teaching assistant at Beijing’s Art Service Center for Scholars.
Her leadership extends to the nonprofit sector：she is Vice President of the International Classical Music Alliance and founder of Concert Star Organization, through which she organizes global events such as the Clarity Recital in Los Angeles and the Carnegie Hall Award Ceremony.
Through her work in performance, pedagogy, research, and community-building, Yaqi Wang continues to inspire the next generation of musicians while expanding the global reach of classical music.
Dr. Shawn Liu
Piano Faculty, Irvine Concervotory of Music
Dr. Shawn Liu is a highly accomplished pianist and educator, holding top degrees in music from world-renowned institutions including the New England Conservatory of Music, the Hartt School of Music, and the China Conservatory of Music, where he earned both an Artist Diploma (AD) and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA).
He has performed extensively across four continents and was selected to represent China on a national tour in Australia, gaining recognition on platforms such as CCTV. Dr. Liu is also a dedicated chamber musician and educator, currently teaching at the Irvine Conservatory of Music and directing Castle Piano Studio. He has served as a faculty member, festival director, and jury member at numerous international music events. For example, the co-founder of the Hartford International Music Festival and the artistic director of the first festival and serves as a piano faculty. He has served as a judge for many international competitions, including International Young Artist Competition (Hong Kong), 2021 and Bright China International Music Internet Competition, 2020.
Dr. Mingfu Han
Pianist, President of International Classical Music Alliance
Mingfu Han holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, where he studied under Dr. Yi-Yang Chen and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. He has garnered prizes in several international and national competitions, including the IAPMT (International Association of Professional Music Teachers) Competition and the MTNA Steinway Young Artist Piano Competition. Mingfu has presented solo recitals and collaborative performances across the United States, Italy, and China. He currently serves as the President of the International Classical Music Alliance (ICMA) and previously led the Mu Phi Epsilon chapter at the University of Kansas.
Special Artists
Pop Music Division Judge
Emerging Singer-Songwriter Empowering the Mandopop Scene
Min Yuan
Min Yuan is a rising singer-songwriter and vocal performer who graduated from the Musicians Institute (MI) in Los Angeles, where she majored in Vocal Performance. She received systematic training in modern music theory and a wide range of vocal techniques.
As the founder of Winter Is Coming Music Studio, Min began her professional music career at the age of 18 after signing with Tianyu Media. Since then, she has been actively involved in music production and live stage performances, earning acclaim for her strong presence and artistic expression.
Her original single, Qian Lu (The Road Ahead), was widely praised upon its release on NetEase Cloud Music. As a new-generation singer-songwriter and pop music judge, Min continues to bring creativity and professionalism to the Mandarin music scene.
Rising Young Drummer Bridging East and West
Yulong Huang
Yulong Huang is a dynamic and accomplished young drummer, and a graduate of the Musicians Institute (MI) in Los Angeles, where he was the sole recipient of the prestigious MI Drum Performance Scholarship. During his time at MI, he studied under renowned American drummer Gianluca Palmieri and Grammy Award-winning artist Dean Brown.
As the former drummer of Y-Boys, a prominent Chinese youth band, Yulong performed at major music festivals across China and was featured extensively in national media. In 2015, he earned Second Prize in the National Finals of the Yamaha China Drum Competition.
In 2020, Yulong was the only Asian drummer selected for the Eastman School of Music Summer Program, further solidifying his reputation as a rising talent in the international drumming community. As an influential figure among the new generation of musicians, Yulong remains committed to live performance and continues to make meaningful contributions to the global music industry through his artistic vision and professional excellence.
Special Artists
The ‘Almost Quartet’ Trio
Dr. Zhenyinyue Huang
Founder of Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI)
Executive Board of the China Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of
Singing (NATS)
Memberships in the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM)
Dr. Zhengyingyue “Elaine” Huang is an acclaimed soprano whose international career spans performances at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, San Miguel Bel Canto Institute (Mexico), and major U.S. opera houses including Boyer Opera, KU Opera, Orange County Lyric Opera, and Opera Italia. Her leading roles include Così fan tutte, Madama Butterfly, The Magic Flute, and Suor Angelica. She has also given solo recitals at top venues such as Shanghai Concert Hall, Zipper Hall (LA), and Swarthout Recital Hall (Kansas), and recently completed a four-city concert tour in China.
A gold medalist at the Russia International Vocal Competition and the London International Classical Music Competition, Dr. Huang has premiered works by notable composers like Guggenheim Fellow Dong Kui. As a scholar and founder of the Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI), she advocates for Asian composers and intercultural exchange. She has been recognized as a White House Midwest Asian American Representative for her leadership.
Also an opera director, she led a 10-city U.S. tour of Amahl and the Night Visitors. Deeply involved in music education, she is Executive Director of the China Chapter of NATS, editor of 3E Music Review, and has taught numerous award-winning students. She is a member of IAWM and MTNA, and formerly served as Artistic Director of the Shanghai Pudong Children’s Choir.
Dr. Xiaohui Yan
Doctoral Degree in Violin from the University of Kansas
Currently Pursuing a Doctorate in Viola
Violinist of Almost Trio & Violist of Nightingale String Quartet
A violinist and violist based in California, Dr. Xiaohui Yan is currently pursuing her D.M.A. in Viola Performance at The University of Nevada, Reno, as the violist of Nightingale String Quartet. Dr. Xiaohui Yan, who has completed her D.M.A. in Violin Performance from the University of Kansas, enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher across the United States, China, and Europe. Passionate about teaching, Dr. Yan served as a violin and string pedagogy instructor at Missouri Western State University in 2023. In addition to her talent as a violinist and a violist, Dr.Yan is also a researcher in the field of Chinese music. Her extensive performance experience includes appearances with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival (as assistant concertmaster), the Sewanee Music Festival, the Kansas University Symphony Orchestra, the Sewanee Symphony, and the Sacramento Youth Symphony Chamber Music Workshop. Internationally she has participated in the 3rd Summer Concert “Let the Dream True” at Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Peiyao Yu
Concert Pianist, Creative Advisor, Asian Classical Music Initiative
Dr. Peiyao Yu is an accomplished pianist and organist celebrated for her powerful interpretations spanning classical masterworks to boundary-pushing contemporary music. A First Prize winner at the Charleston International and Franz Liszt Center competitions, she has performed works by composers such as Eve Beglarian, Tonia Ko, and Amy Beth Kirsten, and premiered pieces by Barry Moon, Brian Riordan, and Lori Laitman.
As Creative Advisor of the Asian Classical Music Initiative at the University of Kansas, she curates programs spotlighting underrepresented voices in classical music. Her collaborative work includes three seasons as principal pianist with Lawrence Opera Theatre and performances at the New Music on the Point Festival.
Dr. Yu made her European debut with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at Italy’s Santa Cecilia Hall and has appeared as a featured organist at the French Organ Music Festival and Reuter Organ Company’s 105th Anniversary Celebration. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance and Church Music from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Music in Piano and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan. She currently serves as Organist at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Los Angele
Solo Group Jury Members
Dr. Miao Ma
Concert Pianist, Artist Coordinator at Concert Star Organization
Miao Ma is a pianist and educator who holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas. She also earned a Master’s degree in the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama with Music Talent Scholarship and an Bachelor degree in Music Education from Xinghai Conservatory of Music with Yingcai Scholarship. Miao has received numerous accolades in international piano competitions, including the Gold Award at the Asian International Youth Piano Competition and the Silver Award at the Hong Kong International Piano Open Competition.
As an active performer and scholar, Miao has given solo and chamber music concerts in the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, including at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall in Cardiff. Her academic research focuses on the piano works of Nikolai Medtner, Mozart and cross-cultural musical dialogues between China and the West, demonstrating her integrated approach to performance and pedagogy with a global perspective.
Xinyue Gu
Concert Pianist, Vice President of the Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI)
Pianist Xinyue Gu is a distinguished Chinese concert pianist based in the United States. She currently serves as Vice President of the Asia Classical Music Initiative (ACMI) and is a signed artist with the Asia International Music Exchange. Dr. Gu earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas and a Master’s degree from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
Dr. Gu has been invited to serve as a jury member for several international competitions, including the Australian International Piano Competition, Liszt International Open, Brahms International, Wiesbaden International, and Beethoven International Open. She is also a prizewinner of numerous piano competitions, including top prizes from the Golden Classical Music Awards, American Protégé, Aegio International, and the Hong Kong International Piano Competition.
From 2014 to 2025, she has performed extensively as a soloist and collaborator in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Mozarthaus Vienna, Curtis Theatre (Los Angeles), and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Her artistry has been featured by New York Concert Review and Xinhua News Agency, and in 2023, she was invited to present a masterclass for the MTNA Distinguished Guest Artist Series. Her work reflects a deep commitment to global music exchange and contemporary piano performance.
Jiyuan Yang
Violinist, DMA at University of Kansas
Jiyuan Yang is a passionate and dedicated young violinist. He has a rich musical education background, including a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas (anticipated in 2025), a Master of Music degree from Temple University (2021), and a Bachelor of Music degree from Xinghai Conservatory of Music (2018). As a teacher, Mr. Yang has extensive experience in various institutions, including Music Land School of Music, Lawrence High School, Lawrence Free State High School, and Foshan Nanhai International High School. His performance experience is broad, including multiple doctoral recitals and performances at chapels, libraries, and performing arts centers. In addition, Mr. Yang has participated in numerous master classes and has a wealth of orchestral experience.
Siyang Yu
The host of “Half Lecture Half Concert” in London, UK
Siyang Yu is a music performance scientist, pianist, and educator with a cross-cultural academic background spanning China and the UK. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Music Performance Science at the Royal College of Music, London, following an MMus in Music Education from the University of Southampton and a BA in Musicology from Xi’an Conservatory of Music.
Her research interests include acoustic adaptation in solo piano performance, musician health, performance posture, AI in music audiences, and music psychology. Siyang has presented at international conferences including IPPA (USA), IAMM & IsFAM (Germany), and the Trinity Laban PG Research Symposium (UK), and is a frequent organizer and speaker at her self-initiated “Half Lecture, Half Concert” series in London and abroad.
She has served as a lab assistant and teaching contributor at the Royal College of Music, and previously hosted educational seminars in China. As founder of the AI Music Interactive Community, she brings together scholars and musicians from institutions such as MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, and King’s College London to explore new intersections in music and technology.
Siyang is a member of ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians) and EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association), and remains active in both research and performance across international platforms.
Educational Team Members
& other staff members
Wesley Shaun
Violinst, Composer, and Producer
Shaun Wesley (Gan Li Kiong) is a Violinist, Composer and Producer. Starting at a young age, Shaun has constantly strived to perfect his craft as violinist, composer and producer. As a violinist, he trained classically during his years in Singapore and later on in Berklee College of Music trained in other styles of violin playing such as Jazz, Gypsy and Middle Eastern styles, where he recently graduated from. Since getting his Bachelors in Music in 2017, he has gone on to composing and recording strings for major Trailer Music Houses in Los Angeles. His current collaboration with the esteemed trailer music company J2 Entertainment landed Trailer placements such as James Cameron’s “Alita: Battle Angel”, Dwayne Johnson’s “Skyscraper” as well as the trailer for an upcoming Netflix Series “Nightflyers”. His compositions has been internationally recognized and performed in places such as Greece and Singapore.