Daily Inspiration: Meet Cathy Yang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Yang.

Cathy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The origins of my story with music is probably found somewhere in my “pre-memory” – I don’t remember this, but apparently I was singing at our local karaoke bar some Chinese pop songs with full lyrics before I could read! As incredulous as I am of this childhood tale, I am glad that my parents started me on piano lessons soon after that at age 5. Today, in my final year of doctoral studies in Keyboard Collaborative Arts at USC Thornton School of Music, I am still in disbelief at the journey I have already taken in piano and music. It is a journey that started in China and continued in Canada. It took me to Germany and all over Europe, where I lived and studied for eight years. Most recently, it took me here to LA. While it is fun to think about some sort of “origin story”, I find real meaning and joy in the journey and all the little/big epiphanies I had along the way. Not to mention the inspiring musicians and friends I’ve made. Not only do I get to spend my days making music, I am growing as a person from the lessons music has taught me. Reflecting on them, I feel grateful that this is my life, and I am so excited to find out what’s in store for me next!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Music is a subjective art – yet we find ourselves constantly judged by and compared to others – often in very real situations, like whether you win a competition, get a good review after a performance, or receive a scholarship/grant to continue your work. If I had to name one underlying struggle throughout my musical journey, it would this – to free myself from others’ judgment and to allow myself to be free to express. When I am playing piano on stage or collaborating with another musician, if my music, my art, comes honestly and freely from a place within, it resonates with others around you and makes an impact. I know this to be true because of personal experiences and feedback I’ve gotten from friends and audience members alike. But – this is easier said than done. As performers of classical music, we are told that our music should be bound by rules, left behind from centuries of experience. We forget that these rules didn’t exist until people made them, and they were made through experimentation and trial-and-error – in the spirit of curiosity, spontaneity, and freedom.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
If I could, I would answer with “everything!” – because all aspects of being a musician are interconnected. But I know that’s not much of an answer! I think that commitment is a vital factor that’s gotten me this far. Commitment requires me to be disciplined and to hone my craft every day. Commitment also means that I need to set goals for myself – and that can sometimes be the hardest decision to make. I talked about spontaneity and freedom before, and now comes the other side of the coin. Without committing myself to the process and the hard work it takes to progress, I would not be able to feel the freedom and joy that come with making music.

Contact Info:

• Website: cathyyang-piano.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathy.pianist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathyyangpiano/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cathy.pianist?si=1Q5F1PoE_td4MqFx