Korff School doctoral student wins Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition in piano

Yanbing Dong
Yanbing Dong

Yanbing Dong, a Doctor of Musical Arts student in the Glenn Korff School of Music, won the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition in piano (senior division) and will be performing in New York City at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 4.

“I was simply thrilled after I learned the news through e-mail, but immediately realized the importance of the upcoming performance in New York City,” Dong said. “This will be my solo debut at Carnegie Hall. I think performing at Carnegie Hall is, undoubtedly, a momentous event, and I feel very privileged to be a part of it.”

Her piano professor, Marguerite Scribante Professor of Piano Paul Barnes is proud of her achievements.

“Yanbing has been a tremendous asset to our musical community here in the Glenn Korff School of Music,” Barnes said. “I’m thrilled she will be performing at Carnegie Hall as the result of her placing in the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition."

The Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition is a North America-based competition that is open to all nationalities in strings, piano, wind, vocal and chamber categories. The audition is based on video recordings with the participant’s choice of repertoire in any classical period.

Multiple winners are chosen, but only the top winner of each group is invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

The recordings Dong used for the competition included Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor, Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy and Haydn’s Sonata in C Major.

Dong will perform another Liszt piece for her performance at Carnegie Hall.

“I will perform Liszt’s Consolation No. 3, which is a nocturne-like piece full of poetic imagination,” she said.

Last year, Dong was among 39 winners of the 2016 London Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition and performed at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall in London last December.

“I think each performance is a learning experience and great fun; performing on such a prestigious stage always excites more artistic potential and passion,” Dong said. “The excitement during the performance makes my ears sharper and unconsciously leads me to try new interpretations. In that moment, I just feel the connection between music and me is so special.”

Dong was born in the northeastern city of Daqing, China. She started her musical career at age 6. She received her Bachelor of Music degree at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. During those four years, she was awarded “Outstanding Student in Shenyang” and received a scholarship each year. In 2010, she graduated with “Outstanding Graduate” from the Piano Department.

Dong received her master’s degree from The Ohio University. During this time, she appeared as an active performer giving solo recitals and playing in chamber ensembles in many concerts.

Dong enrolled at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for her D.M.A. degree in 2014. In the fall of 2014, she won the UNL Concerto Competition and performed with the UNL Symphony Orchestra in the spring of 2015. That same spring, Dong competed at the Gershwin International Music Competition as the finalist. She has also participated in the Austria Vienna International Piano Academy.