The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

Yukimi Song

Overview
Episodes

Details

...where tradition meets innovation. Together, we bring PIANO into the FUTURE.a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano musicHey, 🎹 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♥️🎹

Recent Episodes

Joy Luck Trio -- Groundbreaking Pipa-Erhu-Piano Trio
APR 21, 2026
Joy Luck Trio -- Groundbreaking Pipa-Erhu-Piano Trio
<p>In this episode of The Piano Pod, we welcome <strong>Joy Luck Trio</strong> — a newly formed ensemble bringing together pianist Donna Weng Friedman, pipa virtuoso Gao Hong, and erhu virtuoso Karen Han-Ottosson.</p><p>Together, these three Chinese-American artists unite <strong>piano, pipa, and erhu</strong> in a rare chamber collaboration rooted in heritage and shaped by contemporary expression.</p><p>In this conversation, we explore how the trio first came together, the histories and sound worlds of the pipa and erhu, what makes these instruments distinct from Western strings, and the remarkable artistic journeys that led each member to this moment.</p><p>We also discuss Gao Hong’s expansive career as a pipa virtuoso and composer, Karen Han’s work on major Hollywood soundtracks, Donna’s recent creative accomplishments, and the trio’s artistic vision, repertoire, and the origin of the name <strong>Joy Luck Trio</strong>.</p><p>This episode is about identity, reinvention, artistry, and the excitement of building something new after decades of achievement.</p><ul><li>📖 Read the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com/p/meet-our-guest-joy-luck-trio">Meet Our Guest Blog</a></li><li>🌐 Joy Luck Trio <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://facebook.com/joylucktrio">Facebook</a></li><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://chinesepipa.com">Gao Hong</a> (Pipa Virtuoso, Composer)</li><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://karenhan.com">Karen Han-Ottosson</a> (Erhu Virtuoso)</li><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://donnawengfriedman.com">Donna Weng Friedman </a> (Pianist, Filmmaker)</li></ul><p>📱 Follow The Piano Pod</p><ul><li>💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com">https://thepianopod.substack.com</a></li><li>🎵 Sounds of Inspiration (all the music mentioned in Season 6: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa</a></li><li>📫 Join Our Newsletter <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe">https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe</a></li><li>🌐 Website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com">https://thepianopod.com</a></li><li>🔗 All Links <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/thepianopod">https://linktr.ee/thepianopod</a></li></ul><p>🎧 Available on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/3ckAaOLwkjs?si=o5J70sOB2VYDd_wP">YouTube</a> and all podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, artistry, and the future of classical music.</p><p></p>
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80 MIN
Official Trailer: Season 6 Episode 16 feat. Joy Luck Trio
APR 21, 2026
Official Trailer: Season 6 Episode 16 feat. Joy Luck Trio
<p>What happens when <strong>piano, pipa, and erhu</strong> come together in one ensemble?</p><p>Tonight on <em>The Piano Pod</em>, meet <strong>Joy Luck Trio</strong> — Donna Weng Friedman, Gao Hong, and Karen Han-Ottosson — three acclaimed artists creating a bold new chamber voice rooted in heritage, virtuosity, and contemporary expression.</p><p>In this powerful conversation, we explore the origins of the trio, the fascinating histories of the pipa and erhu, remarkable careers spanning concert halls and film soundtracks, and the excitement of building something entirely new together.</p><p>🎬 Full episode premieres tonight at <strong>8 PM ET</strong> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/3ckAaOLwkjs?si=zxd26EgPelhvrvGe">https://youtu.be/3ckAaOLwkjs?si=zxd26EgPelhvrvGe</a></p><p>🎧 Audio released simultaneously:</p><p>Apple Podcasts: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-piano-pod-a-global-hub-for-innovation/id1542535778">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-piano-pod-a-global-hub-for-innovation/id1542535778</a></p><p>Spotify: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6tVYe2x1yILfaJm1yjyt2P?si=6e315e2c003b49a6">https://open.spotify.com/show/6tVYe2x1yILfaJm1yjyt2P?si=6e315e2c003b49a6</a></p><p>Amazon Music: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fcedc315-c5b7-42d9-b1c9-7eb97b5b290d/the-piano-pod---a-global-hub-for-innovation-education-and-connection-in-classical-piano-music">https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fcedc315-c5b7-42d9-b1c9-7eb97b5b290d/the-piano-pod---a-global-hub-for-innovation-education-and-connection-in-classical-piano-music</a></p><p>See you tonight.</p><p>#ThePianoPod #JoyLuckTrio #Pipa #Erhu #Piano #MusicPodcast #ClassicalMusic #ChineseAmericanArtists</p>
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1 MIN
The Sound of Perseus feat. Composer & Conductor Michael Ostrzyga
APR 7, 2026
The Sound of Perseus feat. Composer & Conductor Michael Ostrzyga
<p>In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by composer, conductor, &amp; Music Director at Univeristy of Cologne, Michael Ostrzyga</p><p>His work spans composition, conducting, editorial scholarship, and large-scale projects — but this conversation centers on his piano writing, especially his recent solo album Perseus.</p><p>Together, we explore how music begins — whether from structure, memory, or sound itself — and how these ideas shape a body of work that moves between tradition and exploration. We also discuss his pedagogical work Der singende Wind, his early musical formation, and his recent arrangement of Beethoven’s Mass in C for four-hand piano and harmonium, commissioned by the Harvard Choruses.</p><p>This episode offers a deeper look into the relationship between structure and intuition, and how personal experience finds its way into music.</p><ul><li>📖 Read our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-michael-ostrzyga-composer?r=2q1iy3&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web">blog</a></li><li>🌐 Michael Ostrzyga — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ostrzyga.com/">Official Website</a></li><li>🎧 Listen to his music (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/3m1nlG5yrNw6bvEQEAJ2BX">Spotify</a>):</li><li>💿 Album — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spektral-records.de/alben/perseus-pianoworks-by-michael-ostrzyga/"><strong>Perseus</strong></a></li><li>📘 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.breitkopf.com/work/8755/der-singende-wind"><strong>Der singende Wind</strong></a> - the Singing Wind (Breitkopf &amp; Härtel):</li><li>🎼 Beethoven Mass in C arrangement - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.classical-scene.com/2026/02/16/arrangement-mass-in-c/#_edn2">article</a></li><li>🎥 Harvard performance of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/0oY17l8Hwf8?si=EEPjxCX_TwLtWOQo">Beethoven's Mass in C</a></li></ul><p>[THE PIANO POD]</p><ul><li>💖 Become a VIP Member / <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com">Unlock Exclusive Content</a></li><li>🎵 Season 6 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa">Piano Playlist </a>(piano music mentioned in Season 6)</li><li>📫 Join <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe">Our Newsletter</a></li><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com"><strong>Website</strong></a></li><li>📱 Follow The Piano Pod<ul><li>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/thepianopod">https://instagram.com/thepianopod</a></li><li>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://facebook.com/thepianopod">https://facebook.com/thepianopod</a></li><li>TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tiktok.com/@thepianopod">https://tiktok.com/@thepianopod</a></li></ul></li><li>🔗 All Links: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/thepianopod">https://linktr.ee/thepianopod</a></li></ul>
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86 MIN
Official Trailer: Season 6 Eps.15, The Sound of Perseus feat. Michael Ostrzyga, Composer
APR 7, 2026
Official Trailer: Season 6 Eps.15, The Sound of Perseus feat. Michael Ostrzyga, Composer
<p>Here is the trailer for Season 6, Episode 15 of The Piano Pod. Guest: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ostrzyga.com/">Michael Ostrzyga </a>— Composer &amp; Conductor In this episode, we explore his piano writing, centered around his album <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spektral-records.de/alben/perseus-pianoworks-by-michael-ostrzyga/">Perseus</a> — a body of work shaped by structure, memory, and lived experience. In our conversation, we talked about: </p><ul><li>where music begins — sound, structure, or something more intuitive </li><li>how memory finds its way into composition </li><li>expanding the language of the piano </li><li>writing for different kinds of performers </li><li>how personal experience shapes artistic work </li></ul><p>🎥 YouTube Premiere tonight at 8:00 PM ET (April 7): <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/M_932Hlo-Xg?si=UB8J69nP3tM03Fyi">https://youtu.be/M_932Hlo-Xg?si=UB8J69nP3tM03Fyi</a> </p><p>🎧 Audio (available on all platforms): <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio">https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio</a> </p><p>📕Read our blog about Michael Ostrzyga: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com/p/meet-our-guest-michael-ostrzyga-composer">https://thepianopod.substack.com/p/meet-our-guest-michael-ostrzyga-composer</a> </p><p>Join us tonight.</p>
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1 MIN
The Infinite Staircase feat. Concert Pianist, Han Chen
MAR 24, 2026
The Infinite Staircase feat. Concert Pianist, Han Chen
<p><strong>In this episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Han Chen</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCy6b6b8YKm0U0rgBCj9TnZg"><strong> </strong></a><strong>joins TPP for a deep conversation about virtuosity, vision, and what it means to build something meaningful in today’s classical music landscape.</strong></p><p><strong>Han Chen is a GRAMMY Award–nominated pianist known for his fearless approach to some of the most demanding repertoire in the piano canon — from György Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études to Beethoven’s Hammerklavier. His recent recording of Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with conductor John Jeter and the Malmö Opera Orchestra has brought renewed attention to one of the most compelling American concertos of the 20th century.</strong></p><p><strong>Beyond performance, Han is also a curator and creator. His large-scale project Infinite Staircase pairs all 18 Ligeti Études with 18 newly commissioned works by living composers, expanding the repertoire while rethinking what a piano program can be.</strong></p><p><strong>This episode offers a rare look into the mind of a pianist who is not only performing at the highest level, but actively shaping the future of classical music.</strong></p><p><strong>In This Episode, We Talk About</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Florence Price and the legacy of her Piano Concerto</strong></li><li><strong>Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études and technical/interpretive challenges</strong></li><li><strong>Infinite Staircase — a 36-work project pairing Ligeti with new commissions</strong></li><li><strong>Creative programming as artistic identity</strong></li><li><strong>Commissioning new music and working with living composers</strong></li><li><strong>Juilliard training and mentorship under Yoheved Kaplinsky</strong></li><li><strong>Expanding the role of the pianist in today’s classical music world</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Learn More About Han Chen</strong></p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hanchenpiano.com"><strong>Website</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/hanchenpiano"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></li><li><strong>Meet Our Guest: </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-han-chen-concert-pianist?r=2q1iy3&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web"><strong>Han Chen </strong></a></li></ul><p><strong>The Piano Pod</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Become a </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com"><strong>VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content</strong></a></li><li><strong>Subscribe to </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa"><strong>the Season 6 Piano Playlist </strong></a><strong>— a collection of every piano work mentioned throughout the episodes </strong></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe"><strong>Join Our Newsletter</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa"><strong>Website</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/thepianopod"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://facebook.com/thepianopod"><strong>Facebook</strong></a></li></ul><p><strong>🔗 </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/thepianopod"><strong>All Links</strong></a></p>
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78 MIN