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...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♥️🎹
205 Episodes
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What does a piano recital have to do with war, faith, and forgiveness?In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist and educator Anli Lin Tong shares the story behind Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation—a profoundly moving concert created for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.What began as a single song her father used to sing—The Bells of Nagasaki—became a powerful act of remembrance, shaped by the legacy of Dr. Takashi Nagai, a survivor who transformed unimaginable loss into a life devoted to peace.This conversation moves beyond repertoire and performance into questions rarely asked in classical music:• What responsibility does an artist carry when history is still unresolved? • How does sound hold memory when words fail?From the history of Urakami Cathedral’s bells, silenced for decades, to Anli’s own journey—moving to the U.S. alone as a child, studying with legendary teachers, and carrying artistic lineage forward—this episode reveals how music can become a moral witness.It’s a conversation about remembrance, responsibility, and the quiet power of sound to hold history—and humanity—together.Learn More About Anli Lin Tong📝 Read my blog exploring Anli’s artistry and work📰 Press Coverage: Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation 🎓 Juilliard Feature The Juilliard School highlights Anli’s writing on her teacher Mieczysław Munz: 🎹 THE PIANO POD🎵 Subscribe to the Season 6 Piano Playlist — a collection of every piano work mentioned throughout the episodes: 💖 Become a VIP Member or unlock exclusive content: 📫 Join our newsletter:🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱 IG: @thepianopod | FB: @thepianopod | TikTok: @thepianopod 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
The trailer for our upcoming episode is now live—and it offers a glimpse into one of the most reflective and quietly powerful conversations of this season.In Season 6, Episode 8 of The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and educator Anli Lin Tong for a deeply moving conversation about music as memory, faith, lineage, and moral witness.At the heart of this episode is Anli’s recent project, Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation—a concert created to honor the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. What began as a song her father used to sing, The Bells of Nagasaki, became the seed for a project shaped by history, spiritual reckoning, and the life of Dr. Takashi Nagai, a survivor who devoted his life to forgiveness and peace.Our conversation moves beyond repertoire and performance into questions that are rarely asked in classical music: What role can music play in healing and forgiveness? What responsibility does an artist carry when history is still unresolved?We also trace Anli’s artistic lineage—from early piano lessons guided by her father, to moving to the U.S. alone as a minor, to studying with legendary teachers and carrying their legacy forward through her work as a performer and educator.This episode is a reflection on remembrance, responsibility, and the artist’s calling—and on the quiet power of music to hold history, faith, and humanity together.✨ The full episode premieres Tuesday, December 16, at 8:00 PM ET on YouTube, with the audio episode released simultaneously on all major podcast platforms.📝 Learn more about Anli and her work HERE— Yukimi
In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator Mirna Lekić for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.Born and raised in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and now based in New York City, Mirna brings a rare perspective to the piano — one shaped by resilience, migration, devotion, and an unshakable belief in music as a stabilizing, healing force.We explore her acclaimed 2023 album MIRAGE, a breathtaking collection of sonic illusions and cultural crossings that reimagines the piano as a global storyteller — moving from Azerbaijan to Spain, Armenia to Java, and beyond.This episode dives into:how early musical experiences during war shaped Mirna’s artistic identitythe healing and stabilizing role music played during her family’s resettlementthe depth of Bosnian and Balkan musical influenceshow cultural diversity becomes musical philosophy, not performanceMIRAGE and its groundbreaking approach to sound, resonance, and identitycollaborative work with living composers, shadow puppeteers, and multidisciplinary artistshow educators can guide young musicians toward authenticity in a rapidly changing worldIt’s a conversation about healing, devotion, heritage, and the power of sound to help us make sense of where we come from — and where we’re going.🌟 SOUND BITES“Music was a healing presence.” “Music study demands devotion.” “Music can be a lifeline.”🎧 FEATURED LINKS FROM MIRNA'S WORKFrom the album Masks: Debussy, The Toybox (opening) Villa-Lobos: Negrinha, No. 5 from Baby’s Family From MIRAGE: Ali-Zadeh — Music for Piano Lachenmann — Guero Cowell — Aeolian Harp From Eastern Currents: Ramin Heydarbeygi — Aramesh Mirna’s Shadow Puppetry Collaborations: https://youtu.be/V5Tj2ZHDGS8?si=Aa05gwPs0R0evO8r https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duMJtVPVOIs&t=262sRead my review on Mirna's Album, MIRAGE on Substack
Here is the TRAILER — Between Worlds: From Sarajevo to New York: A Conversation on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection feat. Mirna LekićThis week on The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and champion of new music Mirna Lekić for a conversation that moves between cultures, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of artistic identity. From Sarajevo to New York, we explore cultural crossings, sonic imagination, and the power of music to connect and ground us.✨ The full episode drops this Tuesday, December 9 at 8pm ET — and I’d love for you to join us.📺 Set Reminder for the YouTube Premiere🎧 Audio episode will be available everywhere simultaneously📝 Learn more about Mirna and her album MIRAGE on Substack See you on Tuesday for a powerful conversation on cultural crossings, sonic identity, and the art of connection.
Happy Thanksgiving! In this bonus episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal — a part of my identity I’ve rarely spoken about publicly. I am a third-generation Zainichi Korean, born and raised in Japan, and I’m finally stepping into that history through a new creative initiative called The Zainichi Music Project, now sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts.This episode marks the beginning of that journey — a project that will grow into a living archive of research, new music commissions, recordings, interviews, and documentary work.In this episode, I talk about:What the word Zainichi actually means,How Japanese colonial rule — not immigration — brought our community into Japan,How postwar restructuring and the San Francisco Peace Treaty left Zainichi Koreans stateless,What it meant to be born and raised in a country that never fully recognized us as citizens,And why this project is my way of honoring our history, resilience, and creative legacy.For those who want to go deeper, please read my Substack essay, “Behind the Mic: Reclaiming Voice Through Sound,” where I share more about my experience growing up Zainichi.Thank you for listening — and for being part of The Piano Pod community. If you’d like to follow this new project, you can subscribe to Substack and follow @zainichimusicproject on Instagram and TikTok.More soon, and thank you for supporting this next chapter.
In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher — whose work has reshaped how we think about artistry, embodiment, and the future of piano performance. Elena has long been a force of quiet revolution. Long before conversations about inclusivity and expanded repertoire entered the mainstream, she was commissioning bold new works, centering Latin-American and women composers, and exploring how breath, movement, and somatic awareness can transform the way we play and teach music. This conversation travels across the full spectrum of her artistry — from embodied performance to cultural identity, from the menstrual cycle as a source of creativity to breaking nineteenth-century norms about who pianists should be and what they should play. If you’ve ever wondered how breath shapes sound, how identity shapes expression, or how artists can create courageously beyond convention, this is a conversation you won’t forget. [Explore Elena’s Work] Salsa Nueva — Score (16-piece anthology): 📘 Purchase on Stretta📘 Purchase on Presto Music Salsa Nueva — Album (with Latin percussionist Wilmer Sifontes): 🎧 SOMM RecordingsOut of the Blues / R&B Collection — Score: 📘 Purchase on Presto Music Piano Icons for the 21st Century (Linn Records):🎧 Amazon 🌐 Elena’s Website✨ If you enjoyed this episode… Please like, comment, and subscribe — it truly helps our community grow. Follow The Piano Pod on social media for more conversations at the intersection of creativity, connection, and the evolving world of classical music. 📝 My blog on Elena & her album Salsa Nueva: 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 Playlist Thank you for listening — and for supporting a space where artists can be fully themselves. #ThePianoPod #Season6 #ElenaRiu #EmbodiedMusician #EmbodiedPianist #ClassicalMusic #Piano #SalsaNueva #MindfulnessForMusicians #Somatics #YogaForMusicians #NewMusic #LatinAmericanComposers #CreativeCourage #PianistLife
Get ready for our next episode of The Piano Pod: The Embodied Pianist with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher.In this powerful conversation, we explore embodied performance, somatics, breath, creativity, cultural identity, and even the menstrual cycle as a source of artistic insight. Elena’s work challenges long-held assumptions about what pianists should play, how they should train, and how the body shapes sound.In this episode, Elena and I talk about:✅ Her journey from Venezuela to the UK — and how navigating multiple identities shaped her artistry✅ The creation of Salsa Nueva and the importance of commissioning new works✅ What it means to challenge 19th-century biases about repertoire and artistic identity✅ Her work as an embodied pianist and how somatics, breath, and movement transform playing✅ Collaboration with dancers, visual artists, poets, and composers✅ Why she opens taboo conversations like creativity and the menstrual cycle among biologically female performers🎬 Set a reminder for the premiere tomorrow at 8 pm ET: https://youtu.be/exIQxYGbQw8 🎧 Prefer audio? Listen to the audio episode (Spotify, Apple, Amazon & more) available tomorrow, November 18 at 8:00pm ET: https://rss.com/podcasts/the-piano-pod/ 📝 Read my full review of Elena’s groundbreaking album Salsa Nueva on Substack #ThePianoPod #Season6 #ElenaRiu #EmbodiedPianist #SalsaNueva #LatinAmericanMusic #NewMusic #ContemporaryPiano #SteinwayArtist #WomenInMusic #Somatics #MusiciansHealth #ClassicalMusicReimagined
🎶✨ What if jazz could be taught as naturally as language—where freedom, creativity, and collaboration drive learning?Welcome to Season 6, Episode 5 of The Piano Pod, featuring Quentin Walston — pianist, composer, educator, and founder of This Is Jazz™. In this conversation, we explore how Quentin bridges performance, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship through his acclaimed book How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation and his growing online platform empowering educators worldwide.In our talk, Quentin shares: ✅ His mission to make jazz approachable for every student ✅ How his book helps teachers with little or no jazz background start confidently ✅ Turning small classroom moments into creative breakthroughs ✅ Building a thriving online community for jazz educators ✅ Balancing artistry and business as a modern musician ✅ His personal journey — from discovering jazz as a child to releasing his album Retro Future👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun and key insights on creativity, confidence, and cultivating joy through improvisation.🎼 Explore Quentin’s Work 🌐 Website: quentinwalston.com 📘 Book: How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation 🎵 Platform: This Is Jazz 💿 Album: Retro Future🎧 The Piano Pod 💖 Subscribe or unlock exclusive content: thepianopod.substack.com 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist: YouTube Playlist 📫 Join our newsletter: Sign UpStay Connected: 🌐 thepianopod.com 🚨 linktr.ee/thepianopod 📱 Instagram: @thepianopod 😃 Facebook: @thepianopod ⏳ TikTok: @thepianopod
In this trailer, get a glimpse into my upcoming conversation with Quentin Walston — a pianist, composer, and educator known for his joyful fusion of jazz, improvisation, and storytelling. In this episode, we dive into creativity, connection, and the spirit of collaboration that defines his work and the evolving world of modern musicianship.✨ Watch the YouTube Premiere: https://youtu.be/hYK86QGXxW0 🎧 Listen to the full audio episode: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio 📰 Learn more about Quentin — read my latest blog on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-quentin-walston?r=2q1iy3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web🎹 The Piano Pod is an award-winning podcast and YouTube show reimagining classical and contemporary music through authentic conversations with artists, educators, and cultural innovators shaping the future of the art form.#ThePianoPod #QuentinWalston #Jazz #Podcast #Season6 #CreativityAndConnection #Trailer
The Piano Pod Live in Concert: A Bold New Chapter in Classical Music marked the first-ever live event for the award-winning podcast and YouTube show The Piano Pod, conceived and hosted by Executive Producer Yukimi Song. Presented in collaboration with Mannes Prep, a pre-college music program offering comprehensive and nurturing pre-professional training at The New School, this milestone concert brought the show’s signature format — music performance, interview, and panel discussion — from the digital space to the stage. 🎹 Featured Artists Dr. Jee-Hoon Krska — Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 32 No. 12 by Sergei Rachmaninoff 🔗 https://www.keystosuccessnewark.org Eleonor Bindman — her transcription of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 for piano four hands (Secondo: Yukimi Song) 🔗 https://www.eleonorbindman.comDr. Nnenna Ogwo — The Sun is Rising by Black American composer Consuela Lee 🔗 https://www.juneteenthlp.org Donna Weng Friedman ( @donnawengfriedman9968 ) — Fantasy on The Wizard of Oz by William Hirtz for piano four hands (Secondo: Yukimi Song) 🔗 https://www.donnawengfriedman.com 🎙️ About the Event Filmed live at Ernst C. Stiefel Hall at The New School, this 90-minute event blended world-class performances with an engaging interview session and audience panel discussion. The artists shared personal stories, insights on collaboration, and visions for keeping classical music vibrant and relevant today. 💬 Special Guests Caroline Sonett-Assor, Director of Mannes Prep, The New School Audience members and artists in conversation 🎥 Video by: Scott Chiu, Portable Recording Studio (https://www.portablerecordingstudio.com/) 📸 Photography by: Vin Carvalho (https://www.thephotoartstudio.com/) ✨ Presented by: The Piano Pod — Where tradition meets innovation. In Collaboration with: Mannes Prep, The New School Produced by: Yukimi Song Studio LLC #ThePianoPod #MannesPrep #LiveConcert #ClassicalMusic #PianoPodcast #ConcertAndConversation #PanelDiscussion #CreativityAndConnection #DonnaWengFriedman #NnennaOgwo #EleonorBindman #JeeHoonKrska #YukimiSong #TheNewSchool
🎶✨ How can nineteen tiny piano miniatures blossom into one of the most expansive, collaborative, and award-winning projects of our time? Welcome to Season 6 Episode 3: The World of MICROVIDS — Composer & Advocate for Women in Music, Stefania de Kenessey. In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Stefania de Kenessey, a composer whose works have been heard at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, and around the world. Her latest project, Microvids, began as nineteen piano miniatures written during the pandemic — and has since grown into a global tapestry of music, poetry, improvisation, orchestral performance, and film. In our conversation, Stefania opens up about: ✅ The surprising origins of MICROVIDS and how “tiny nothings” became her richest work ✅ Collaborations with pianist Donna Weng Friedman, violinist Curtis Stewart, narrator Krystal Joy Brown, and the New Jersey Youth Symphony under Helen Cha-Pyo ✅ Award-winning films inspired by MICROVIDS, including Silent Cry ✅ How MICROVIDS can connect with youth orchestras and piano students around the world ✅ Her advocacy for women in music, her Hungarian roots, and her expansive multi-genre style — from opera to dance to provocative video works like Menstrual Rosary 👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, candid reflections, and exclusive performance excerpts from MICROVIDS, Unorthodox, and Menstrual Rosary. https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6751/ 🌐 Stefania's Website🎬 Watch Silent Cry (award-winning short film)🎬 Watch Menstrual Rosary (winner of 33 film awards) [The Piano Pod] 💖 Subscribe TPP on Substack to unlock exclusive content 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist 📫 Subscribe to our newsletter🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com
🎶✨ How can nineteen miniature piano pieces transform into a boundless world of music, poetry, collaboration, and film?Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an extraordinary episode featuring composer Stefania de Kenessey and her latest project, Microvids. What began as small, intimate sketches during the pandemic has blossomed into her most expansive and personal work — brought to life through powerful collaborations across instruments, voices, ensembles, and even award-winning films.In this conversation, Stefania shares:✅ The surprising origins of Microvids and its evolution across multiple formats✅ How collaboration turned tiny piano pieces into something vast and universal✅ Why Microvids resonates with youth orchestras, students, and audiences worldwide✅ The role of love, vulnerability, and connection in her music✅ Her advocacy for women in music and her vision for the next generation🎬 Don’t miss it! Watch the premiere on Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:00 pm ET right here on our YouTube channel🎧 Prefer audio? The episode will also drop everywhere you listen to podcasts at the same time!Explore more:🌐 Website: https://www.stefaniadekenessey.com/🎼 Album: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6751/
🔥 “Music isn’t just about playing the notes — it’s about living beyond the keys.”🔥Welcome to the premiere of Encore Conversations — The Piano Pod’s new series, where past guests return for short, powerful conversations about their latest projects and evolving journeys.To kick it off, I’m joined by Jeeyoon Kim — pianist, educator, podcaster, and now a two-time author. You may remember her from Season 3, when she shared her debut book, Whenever You’re Ready, and her bold mission to transform the concert experience.Now she’s back with her new book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance — projects that dive even deeper into love, resilience, and the creative spirit.🎶 The episode opens with Jeeyoon’s stunning performance of Piazzolla’s Libertango (arr. Kyoko Yamamoto), also featured on Radiance. From her unforgettable 2023 Carnegie Hall debut to the raw personal stories she reveals in Beyond the Keys, Jeeyoon shows us how music, writing, and life lessons intertwine to create something extraordinary.📌 Explore More 🎶 Watch the full Libertango performance (from Radiance):📖 Download 4 free chapters of Beyond the Keys🛒 Order Beyond the Keys on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3DTUMik✨ If you missed Jeeyoon’s first Piano Pod appearance (Season 3, Episode 14), go back and listen. You’ll see why her originality and authenticity continue to inspire this community.👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Encore Conversations and Season 6 episodes that celebrate Creativity & Connection.[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]💖 Subscribe to our Substack page for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh Stay Connected:🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱
In this special premiere of Encore Conversations, The Piano Pod’s brand-new alumni series, I sit down with award-winning pianist, author, and educator Jeeyoon Kim. You may remember her from Season 3, where she inspired us with her originality, authenticity, and mission to make concerts deeply personal. Now she returns with her most intimate project yet — her second book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance.In our Encore Conversation, Jeeyoon opens up about:✅ The inspiration behind Beyond the Keys ✅ Why she chose to share her deepest challenges with her readers ✅ What she discovered about herself through writing ✅ How her new album Radiance expands on the book’s themes of love, resilience, and connection🎬 Join the broadcast of this special Encore Conversation on September 9, 2025, at 8:00pm ET: https://youtu.be/0bpMQiBLkaY[Jeeyoon Kim]🎹 Watch Libertango from Radiance: https://youtu.be/LK3dnspkqEY?si=5Ml6VZcQ6_OPu8_R 📖 Free preview (4 chapters) of Beyond the Keys: https://dedicated-thinker-5780.kit.com/3ee9541685 🛒 Order the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3DTUMik 🌐 Website: https://www.jeeyoonkim.com[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh
🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative?Welcome to Season 6 Episode 2: Four Hands, Boundless Creativity — Mada & Hugh, the Award-Winning Duo on Love, Life & Artistic FreedomIn this captivating episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their electrifying four-hand performances, imaginative arrangements, and engaging video productions, Mada & Hugh are redefining what it means to collaborate in classical music today.In our conversation, they open up about:The artistry and intimacy of four-hand piano playing Their daring arrangements, from Romanian folk gems to Sweet Child O’ Mine Behind-the-scenes secrets of their video production and vlogs Mădălina’s journey from Romania to the U.S. and her research on George Crumb Hugh’s entrepreneurial path — inventing AirTurn and pushing the boundaries of music tech The risks they’ve taken to reinvent themselves and the courage it takes to build a new artistic life together👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, candid reflections on creativity and connection, and exclusive performance excerpts — including Suita din Dobrogea and Silence and a Face from Christian Mecham’s Three Omens.[Mada & Hugh Piano Duo] Website:YouTube Channel🎼Download their amazing 4-hand arrangements HERE[The Piano Pod]Subscribe to TPP on Substack for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscriptionSubscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlistLatest NewsWebsite
🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative? Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an electrifying episode featuring the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their imaginative arrangements, captivating performances, and cross-cultural collaboration, Mada & Hugh are redefining what it means to perform and create in the 21st century. In this conversation, they share: ✅ The artistry and intimacy of four-hand piano playing ✅ Their daring arrangements — from Romanian folk gems to Sweet Child O’ Mine ✅ Behind-the-scenes secrets of their video productions ✅ Insights into their entrepreneurial journeys, from George Crumb research to inventing AirTurn ✅ How love, creativity, and connection fuel their partnership on and off the stage 🎬 Don’t miss it! Watch the premiere on Tuesday, Sept 23 at 8:00pm ET right here on our YouTube channel 👇 👉 🎧 Prefer audio? The episode will also drop everywhere you listen to podcasts at the same time! https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio Explore more: 🌐 Website: https://www.madahugh.com/ 📺 YouTube: @madahughpianoduo 🎹 Watch the entire performance of Suita din Dobrogea by Mada and Hugh Piano Duo: https://youtu.be/RiKUH1wR3Po?si=mmcH6OARFWWMIgev
🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives?In this special Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health. His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touched millions through streaming, concerts, hospitals, and beyond.In our conversation, Chad opens up about:The inspiration behind his latest album, Where We Are: Unity EditionHow he turned adversity into artistry with his debut Set on a HillWhy combining music and wellness has become his missionAnd the story of how he became a U.N. Ambassador through music👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, personal insights, secrets to building a successful creative career, and an exclusive excerpt of Chad’s breathtaking piece “Sanctuary.”[Chad Lawson]Sanctuary full video: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5gThe Light Within: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5gWebsite: https://www.chadlawson.com/Podcast: https://www.calmitdownpodcast.com/[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukhStay Connected:🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com📱 Instagram: @thepianopod😃 Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThePianoPodNYC⏳ TikTok: @thepianopod
🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives? In this special Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health. His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touched millions through streaming, concerts, hospitals, and beyond. In our conversation, Chad opens up about: ✅ The inspiration behind his latest album, Where We Are: Unity Edition ✅ How he turned adversity into artistry with his debut Set on a Hill ✅ Why combining music and wellness has become his mission ✅ And the story of how he became a U.N. Ambassador through music 🎬 Join the broadcast of this special episode on September 9, 2025, at 8:00pm ET: [Chad Lawson] 📺 Sanctuary full video: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5g 🎹 The Light Within: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5g 🌐 Website: https://www.chadlawson.com/ 🎧 Podcast, Calm It Down: https://www.calmitdownpodcast.com/ [The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music] 💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh Stay Connected: 🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱 Instagram: @thepianopod 😃 Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThePianoPodNYC ⏳ TikTok: @thepianopod
✨ Season 6 of The Piano Pod is here! ✨ This year, it’s all about Creativity and Connection — the messy, vulnerable, transformative stories behind the music. 🎹 We kick things off with an inspiring lineup: 🎶 Chad Lawson on September 9, 8:00 pm ET. Mădălina Dănilă & Hugh Sung — the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo, whose artistry and unique bond radiate joy, innovation, and cultural connection. And for the first time ever — The Piano Pod Live in Concert! 🎉 📅 October 4, 2025 📍 Stiefel Hall at The New School, in collaboration with Mannes Prep. Featuring performances and conversations with Donna Weng Friedman, Dr. Jee Hoon Krska, Dr. Nnenna Ogwo, and Eleonor Bindman. 💡 Why tune in? Because behind every polished performance is a story—unexpected, human, and full of resilience. This season dares to ask: What does it really mean to be a 21st‑century musician? 👉 Watch episodes on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platforms, and join our community on Substack. Don’t miss the premiere: September 9, 2025, at 8:00 pm ET with Chad Lawson! #ThePianoPod #Season6 #CreativityAndConnection #ChadLawson #MadaAndHugh #ClassicalMusic #PodcastLaunch
Thinking about starting a podcast—but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin? I created a mini-course for artists, educators, and independent creatives who want to build a podcast that feels authentic, intentional, and achievable. And this bonus episode is a FREE intro lesson. Inside, I’ll walk you through what to expect in my full course, share a bit of my story, and show you that you don’t need fancy gear or a business plan to start—you just need your voice and a clear path. ▶️▶️ Explore the full course here: https://tr.ee/letspodcast 🌴🌴 Start podcasting your way—with purpose, creativity, and confidence. #StartAPodcast #PodcastingForCreatives #Let’sPodcast #PodcastTips #PodcastCourse #HowToPodcast2025
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