Chengcheng Yao was born in China and began studying the piano at the age of four. She performed Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 with Hebei Symphony Orchestra when she was sixteen, which was a resounding success and won her critical acclaim. In the 2019-2020 season, she performed Bartók Piano Concerto No.2 with Peabody Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Marin Alsop. As a soloist, Ms. Yao has performed in venues such as Alice Tully Hall in New York City, Steinway Hall in Hamburg, National Center for the Performing Arts and Forbidden City Concert hall in Beijing, Mozarteum in Salzburg, Beethoven Center and University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, China Cultural Center in Berlin, and University of Toronto.

 

Her awards include the Elizabeth Parisot Prize at Yale University (2017), First Prizes at Sigma Alpha Iota Piano Concerto Competition (2019), Harrison Winter Piano Competition (2018), Kayserburg National Piano Competition (2011), “YAMAHA” Piano Competition (2009) and the Steinway International Piano Competition (2007), and Second Prizes at Wideman International Piano Competition (2018), Young Artist Piano Concerto Competition (2016), Virtuoso & Belcanto Piano Competition (2016) and the “KAWAI” National Piano Competition (2007).

            

Ms. Yao completed her Bachelor of Music degree at China Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Min Li. She holds two master’s degrees from The Juilliard School and Yale University, where she worked principally with Jerome Lowenthal, Matti Raekallio, Peter Frankl, and Hung-Kuan Chen. Currently residing in Baltimore, Ms. Yao is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, where she studied with Leon Fleisher and is now studying with Yong Hi Moon. Ms. Yao was appointed the President of the World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) – Maryland Chapter in January 2021.