Robert Yan

From an early age, Robert Yan demonstrated a unique talent for the piano. He began taking lessons with Dr. Bowlby at the age of 7, and from the early years was a first prize winner of many competitions, such as the 2009 Seattle Int’l Piano Competition, 98.1 Classical King FM Young Artists Awards in 2011, Washington State Outstanding Artists’ Competition in 2013, aside from many prizes in local Bach, classical, contemporary and romantic festivals.

In the fall of 2014, Robert continued his studies with Dr. Ivona Kaminska, and is now pursuing a BM in Piano Performance under Dr. Logan Skelton at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance. Some of his recent accolades include the Gold Medal at the 2019 Seattle International Piano Competition, 1 st Prize in the Crescendo Int’l Competition, Finalist of the University of Michigan Concerto Competition, Silver Medal at the 2017 Seattle Int’I Piano Competition, First Prize at the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, 2 nd prize in the Senior Division of the WA OAC, winner of the 2015 Classical Viennese Festival, 2015 Bach Festival, and 2016 First Prize at Virtuoso Festival, 2016 2 nd place winner at Pafe competition, 2016 First Prize in the Senior Division of the WA OAC, First Prize of Americian International Protégé Piano Competition, and in 2017, one of ten finalists at 98.1 Classical King FM Young Artists Awards. He has worked in master classes with Julian Martin, Jacques Rouvier, Christopher Elton, Bruno Rigutto, Albert Attenelle, Marina Lomazov, Alexander Tutunov, Mark Clinton, William Chapman Nyaho, Francesco Nicolosi and Maciej Grzybowski.

Robert enjoys comparing recordings of great pianists from the mid-20th Century to those of today’s. He is interested in how phrasing and expression has changed over time, particularly the use of rubato. His favorite pianists include Daniil Trifonov, Arthur Rubinstein, Grigory Sokolov, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Robert also enjoys improvising and making arrangements of well-known standards. He recently performed his arrangements of Danny Boy and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which have influences from both classical and jazz styles.

Aside from music, Robert enjoys films, particularly those of Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. He also enjoys going to the gym and playing sports.