Siyang YU
Pianist | Composer | Conductor | Artistic Director | Music Founder
An internationally acclaimed Chinese pianist, composer, conductor, music founder and artistic leader, Siyang Yu has built a distinguished career spanning classical performance, innovative composition, academic research, and cross-cultural curation. As the founder of Half lecture half concert and AI music interaction Design community（AIMID）, she leverages technology to empower musical expression and build global bridges for cultural exchange. Her works have been premiered by Grammy Award-winning ensembles, and she has conceived and executed large-scale international arts projects spanning the UK and China. A sought-after speaker at world-class academic conferences, she continues to demonstrate influential leadership and visionary contributions to the arts.
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Email:
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Address:
+44 7422943888
KEY ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTS
International Premiere by Grammy-Winning Ensemble:
Composed Reality or Illusion for string quartet, premiered by the Grammy Award-winning St. Petersburg String Quartet, affirming global recognition of artistic excellence.
Curated and Directed Large-Scale International Arts Project:
Served as Artistic Director and Chief Curator for the 2025 Beethoven Masterclass Series across five major Chinese cities (Shanghai, Xi’an, Hefei, Beijing, Guangzhou), collaborating with Professor Julian Jacobson of the Royal College of Music to introduce top-tier classical music educational resources to China.
Pioneered AI Music Community and Branded Events:
Founded an AI music interaction Design community and Half lecture half Concert , creating an innovative platform connecting global musicians, scholars, and enthusiasts. Directed the Spring Sequence New Voices concert, attended by Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang and widely covered by influential media such as People’s Daily Online and Huayin Net, demonstrating exceptional cultural impact.
Leadership in International Arts Festival:
Served as Young Leader for the Edinburgh Kunqu Festival (2024–2025), directing and curating initiatives including Kunqu Meets Edinburgh flash mobs and the Edinburgh Kunqu Global Youth Connect project, promoting innovative intercultural dialogue around traditional Chinese arts on a world-renowned platform.
Series Artistic Initiatives and Leadership:
Since 2023, has consistently curated and executed multiple thematic concerts and lecture-recitals in key UK cultural cities such as Oxford, London, Cambridge and Manchester through the Half lecture half concert platform, actively promoting musical arts while expanding influence into charitable and cutting-edge technology sectors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Founder | Half lecture half Concert | [2023] – Present
Curated and led a series of artistic events: successfully organized and hosted multiple thematic concerts and academic lecture-recitals across several UK cities (including Oxford, London, Manchester), consistently fostering Sino-British music cultural exchange.
Founder | AI Music Interaction Design community | [2024] – Present
Lead strategic development focused on integrating AI technology with music to create next-generation interactive music experiences.Established and manage an AI music interaction community, building a global network of musicians, scholarsengineers, and music lovers.
Artistic Director and Conductor | Spring Sequence New Voices Concert | London, UK/China | 2025
Curated and directed a large-scale transnational cultural exchange concert, bringing together renowned Chinese and international artists for a passionate performance. Attended by Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, the event received extensive coverage from mainstream media. Also served as conductor for the Children's Choir and the British Chinese Overseas Choir with Famous musician Beibei Wang and Prof.Jinfeng Li performing “Jasmine Flower,” “ Yellow River,” and “China in the Lights.”
Co-Director and Curator | Ancient Chinese Poetry Concert: Half lecture half concert in Action & Bai Dongliang Art Workshop | London, StJames Garlickhythe Church，UK | June 17，2025
Half lecture half concert and co-directed with the Bai Dongliang Art Workshop a unique cultural event in London, blending an ancient Chinese poetry concert with performances of renowned composer Bai Dongliang's classic art songs. The concert interwove classical Chinese poetry with traditional and contemporary musical interpretations, deepening appreciation for China's literary and musical heritage within a cross-cultural context.
Through experiential exploration, the art workshop fostered profound understanding and emotional resonance with Chinese poetry culture among both local and international participants.
Cyber Eastern Music Festival | Artistic Director & Curator and performer | London ，Royal Academy of Music，UK | August 31, 2025
Founded, curated, and performed in this innovative festival exploring the future of musical expression through the fusion of traditional Chinese elements with electronic/digital music and AI technology.
Secured and managed high-profile keynote speakers, including Prof. Pan Zhigeng (Director, Jiangsu Metaverse Center) on "Automatic Music Generation in Metaverse Scenarios" and Prof. Anthony Paul De Ritis (Composer, Northeastern University; Exec. Chair, ICMC 2024) on "Composition and AI Music". Curated and directed the culminating "AI Music Interactive Audiovisual Concert" (2023), featuring Sino-British musicians and artists like famous composer Yao deng and Dongliang Bai，Pianist KeMa ，Cello Chris Hedges ，artists Shangyu Li and Luhan Li and more than 20 musicians. This "blind box concert" blended traditional instruments (Guqin, Pipa, Guzheng, Dizi) with vocal art songs, piano, and AI-generated sound visuals, creating a unique cyberpunk aesthetic rooted in Eastern tradition.
The event attracted significant attendance from young technology and art enthusiasts and served as a practical extension of the AI music interaction community concept.
Charity Performance: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Cambridge | Project Initiator & Artistic Director | Cambridge, UK | August 29, 2025
Initiated, organized, and performed in lunch concert for the hospice, blending artistic excellence with social responsibility and community care.The project demonstrated profound humanistic spirit, transcending pure artistic domains and greatly enriching patient spirit.
Artistic Director & Chief Curator | Edinburgh Kunqu Festival | Edinburgh, UK | 2024–2025
Invited as Young Leader for two consecutive years; directed the Kunqu Meets Edinburgh public art flash mob and designed the Edinburgh Kunqu Global Youth Connect program.
Enhanced international visibility and public engagement with traditional Chinese Kunqu opera.
Artistic Director | 2025 Beethoven Masterclass China Tour | China (Shanghai, Xi’an, Hefei, Beijing, Guangzhou) | 2025
At the invitation of Professor Julian Jacobson (Royal College of Music), Siyang organized and curated the Beethoven China Masterclass (spanning five cities), bringing classical music to the hearts of young pianists and music educators across multiple Chinese cities.
KEY PERFORMANCES & PREMIERES
Premiere
Reality or Illusion for string quartet, performed by the St. Petersburg String Quartet, [LA Curtis Theatre, USA], [May 232025].
Piano Recitals
Performed concerts across major venues in China (Shanghai/Xi’an, Hefei/Guangzhou) And performed concerts across major venues inin Birtish (London/Oxford/Manchester/Cambridge), [2016]–Present.
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS & KEYNOTES
6th -9th July，2024
Presented Speaker
18th-22th Sep，2024
Poster Speaker
IPPA International Piano Pedagogy Conference
University of kansas，School of Music
IAMM&ISfAM Conference，Berlin, Germany
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin，Campus Virchow-Klinikum
1st November，2024
Presented Research
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Academic Conference
London, UK
16th April，2025
Invited Guest Speaker（Keynote）
Redwood Academy Conference
Online
20th- 26th July 2025
Presented Speaker
International Classical Music Alliance Music Festival（ICMA）
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, USA
BASIC EDUCATION
MMus
Master of Performance Science, Royal College of Music (Studied with Prof. George Waddell & Prof. Rosie Perkins)
MA
Master of Music Education, University of Southampton（Studied with Dr.Chiying Lam)
BMus
Bacher of Music Education, Xi’an Conservatory of Music (Piano studied with Prof. Jinzhe Wang and vocal studied with Prof. Zhicai Yan)
Piano Studies
In Piano Performance, Royal College of Music (Studied with Prof. Nigel Clayton)
In Piano Performance, University of Southampton(Studied with Assistant Prof.Valentina Seferinova)
In Piano Performance,Xi’an Conservatory of Music (Studied with Prof. Jinzhe Wang)
RESEARCH AREA INTERESTS
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AI music audience and music acoustic
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Pianist acoustic adaption
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Injured musicians
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Poor performance posture characterization and visualization prevention
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Semasiological medicine
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health and well-being
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Music psychology
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Cognitive neuroscience
EDUCATION
2023-2024
Master of Performance Science
Royal College of Music, London, UK
Major modules:
Performance Psychology
Performing Research 1 : Method
Grade:
Master of Science degree in music performance science
2021-2023
University of Southampton
Major modules:
Professional Writing and Presentation Skills
Preparation for Final Project
Grade:
Postgraduate of music education
Master of Music MMus Education
Graduation Research Projects：
Exploring the Potential Contribution of Strategies to Piano Teaching and Performance - Taking Alexander Technique and Taubman Piano Technique as Examples
Master of Music, Music Education (Merit)
2016-2020
Bachelor of Arts in Musicology
Xi’an Conservatory of Music
Major modules:
Keyboard Instrument1-4
Harmony C1 & C2
History of Western Music
Grade:
Undergraduate of musicology
Graduation Research Project:
Analysis of the art song "Zhaojun Goes Out of the Cypress" singing experience
PIANO EXPERIENCE
In Piano Performance, Royal College of Music (Studied with Prof. Nigel Clayton)
In Piano Performance, University of Southampton(Studied with Assistant Prof.Valentina Seferinova)
In Piano Performance,Xi’an Conservatory of Music (Studied with Prof. Jinzhe Wang)
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE/POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
RCM lab assistant, taught Music Performance Science, founded AI Music Community, hosted international lecture-concerts, ISM/EPTA member. Organized ethnomusicology workshops and research seminars
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION
When I studied in the RCM , my final paper will more focus on the acoustic adaption on the solo pianisit . The research aims to know how solo pianist adapt different acoustic from pratice room to concert hall, and it also encourge me to explore more on the aocustic on the performers and audience.
EXPERIENCE
2024 Sep-2025 April
Laboratory Assistant
Royal College of Music, London, UK
Assist in various research projects and experiments, contributing to studies on acoustic adaptation for solo pianists. Develop specific techniques and methodologies to enhance performance science research.
2023 Sep-2025 April
Royal College of Music, London, UK
Teaching Duties
Conduct book-sharing sessions focusing on research methodologies, significantly enhancing student engagement and understanding of music performance science.
2024 April 11
Guest Speaker
Xi’an Conservatory of Music, Xi’an, China
Delivered multiple sessions on ethnomusicology and music education, emphasizing the application of Alexander Technique and Taubman Piano Technique to piano teaching and performance.
2024 July
Founder
AI Music Interactive Community
Created a platform for lecture and concert series that discusses various aspects of music performance, fostering a professional community for knowledge exchange among musicians and scholars.
MEDIA RECOGNITION
（United States，Stcoland，China）
Reality or Illusion for string quartet with Grammy Award-winning St. Petersburg String Quarte
Los Angeles Local News：
[Concert Star International Music Competition" was successfully held. City councilors awarded certificates of honor.], [2025.5.23 by Wei Lu]
https://icitynews.com/?p=449057
Concertstar web：
https://concertstar.org/concert-star-la-district-jury-educational-partner
Ancient Poetry Concert
ChinaTimes：
[The inheritance of the national sound, the sound moves the Huazhang.], [2025.6.21 by Shaofang Lu]
https://ctnhs.com/wencui/39242.jhtml
China music Net ：
[Summer Cicada | Let's listen to a concert of ancient poetry! Encounter a musical feast that blends things with East and West.], [2025.6.13 by China music Network] http://www.chnmusic.cn/yyyc/2025/0613/12085.htm
Global Youth Connection for the Edinburgh Kunqu Festival 2024-2025
Xinwen Net：
[Kunqu's global promotion season shines in Edinburgh.],[2025.8.09 by Wang Run]
https://xinwen.bjd.com.cn/content/s6899f35ae4b02424b0bea561.html
China Network Culture：
[Kunqu Opera and Elegant Rhyme Bloom Edinburgh, Chinese and Foreign Cultures Co-compose and Exchange New Chapter.],[2025.8.15 by zhang Jing]
http://cul.china.com.cn/2025-08/15/content_43203306.htm
http://big5.china.com.cn/gate/big5/cul.china.com.cn/2025-08/15/content_4320330 6.htm
Beijing Daily Client：
[Let the world rediscover Kunqu Opera. The Edinburgh Art Tour of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater ended successfully.], [2025.8.11]
http://www.xinhuanet.com/globe/20250809/90c37b032aae4cee9a4bdfa8f250361f/ c.html
CCTV3：
[Very in-depth · Kunqu opera "The Legend of the White Snake" was invited to the Edinburgh Art Festival to let the world rediscover Kunqu and tell Chinese stories around the world.], [2024.9.23]
https://content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/video.html?item_id=2306507 807969603592
Beethoven Masterclass in China
Oushinet：
[The Chinese-Western Music Dialogue Continues The Chinese Chapter "Sino-Western Dialogue · Closing Day" Lecture Concert Held In Beijing], [2025.7.25 by Xiao Quan]
https://www.oushinet.com/static/content/ouzhong/ouzhongnews/2025-07-25/1398 302341324741968.html
Other Social nets：
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/EAhntlH_OJ4qJO6Sgm3_dg
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/lwQxwR2i9F6oUKHUd3WkRg
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/CrZwyQ1lf6wPYi733Pq2XQ
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fWG_dXU75b9TyI8FxdUeWw
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dA203c5OKSlsGnj0M97h8Q https://share.google/QZdbCBc4tsuiPdyxs
MEDIA RECOGNITION（UK）
Spring Festival with East-west Dialogue Concert
People’s Daily Online:
[Spring Preface New Voice" Sino-Western Dialogue New Year Concert held in London.], [2025.2.04 by Liang Xu]
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0204/c1002-40412259.html
Chinadaily Online:
[Royal Academy of Music marks Spring Festival with East-West Dialogue concert.], [2025.2.05 by Zheng wanyin]
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202502/05/WS67a2af03a310a2ab06eaa1c2_1.html
Huayin Net:
[Spring Preface New Voice" plays a Chinese and Western fusion of Chinese and Western Chinese chapters, and welcomes the New Year in the notes- the Chinese Year.], [2025.2.20 by Yanghao Peng]
https://www.huain.com/news/zonghe/2025/0220/7452.html
Oushinet：
[Spring Pr eface New Voice Sino-Western Dialogue New Year Concert Ends in London], [2025.2.14 by Xiao Quan]
https://www.oushinet.com/static/content/europe/britain/2025-02-14/13400586523 24800492.html
Other Social nets：
https://www.yeeyi.com/news/details/2613192/ https://ctdtl.com/post/1958
Exclusive interviews with authoritative media outlets
ChinaTimes：
Cyber Eastern Music Festival
Xinwen Net：
ChinaTimes：：[The first Cyber Easern Music Festival successfully held a cross-border dialogue between AI and music at the Royal Academy of Music.], [2025.9.3]