New York-based pianist Yang (Jack) Gao is developing a rising career as a recitalist and orchestra soloist. In November 2023, he won the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition. He is also the winner of the Gina Bachauer Piano Competition at The Juilliard School (2023) and the Second Prize at the Steinway Piano Competition (2019). He has performed recitals in China, the United States, and Canada. In February 2024, he gave a recital in Carnegie Hall and included a world-premiere of his newest work. As a winner of The Juilliard School’s Concerto Competition, he performed John Corigliano’s Piano Concerto in Alice Tully Hall with the Juilliard Orchestra and conductor Simone Young.
Born in China in 2003, he studied piano and composition at the Middle School attached to China Conservatory of Music, with teachers Tianhong Tan and Xin Xie. At age 17, he performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Symphonic Orchestra of China Conservatory under conductor En Shao.
Jack is also interested in chamber music, frequently collaborating with other musicians and performing in various venues. He has also premiered many works by his composer friends.
He is currently a student of Jerome Lowenthal at The Juilliard School, where he was awarded the Willard MacGregor Memorial Piano Scholarship and the Thoba Corporation Scholarship.