Yangyang Ruan
Biography & Awards
One of the most influential pianists of China's younger generation
A rising star in today’s international music scene, Chinese pianist Yangyang Ruan has captivated audiences around the world. Renowned for both his virtuosity and deeply emotional musical sensitivity, Yangyang has distinguished himself as a unique musician of the 21st century, combining the worlds of classical music with an engaging online presence. With over 1.5 million followers on social media and 400 million total views, his innate musicality and his dedication to sharing his love for music has cemented his place as one of his generation’s most forward-thinking young pianists.
Yangyang has been the first prize winner of international piano competitions in Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, and the UK. He has appeared on stages in countries spanning Asia, North America, and Europe.
Yangyang’s impact extends beyond his musical prowess, blending artistry with significant cultural and commercial influence. Featured in high-profile brand collaborations and prestigious events, he merges classical music with luxury and innovation. His roles in film, cultural ambassadorships, and high-profile lectures further emphasize his broad cultural and commercial reach.
2021
1st prize in the "Best Chopin Performance"
Chopin International Music
Competition, UK
2020
1st prize and best personality award at the "Juliusz Zarębski"
International Music Competition
in Poland
2019
1st prize at the "Santa Cecilia"
International Piano Competition
in Portugal
2019
1st Prize, Grand Prize at the "Val de Travers"
International Piano Competition
in Switzerland
2019
2nd prize and Chopin Prize in the "A Step Towards Mastery"
International Piano Competition
in Russia
2018
2nd Prize at the Chopin
International Piano Competition
in USA
Performance
Yangyang Ruan has performed with several orchestras over the years, including the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Haute École de Musique de Genève in Switzerland, the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, the China Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra. On Dec 2023, he gave his debut at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Meanwhile, as the star winning ambassador of the Star Picking Youth Dream Show, he will lead everyone on a tour of Europe, including the world’s top concert halls such as the Vienna Musikverein (The Golden Hall)
Education
Yangyang was born in a small village in Southern China. While neither of his parents were musically trained – his father is a policeman and mother a primary school teacher – they became acutely aware of his affinity towards music, and nurtured his budding talent from a young age. Due to the lack of piano teachers in his hometown, Yangyang’s childhood consisted of weekly trips to another town where he could have access to a musical education.
By the age of nine, Yangyang had proved himself to be of exceptional talent, and was accepted to the Central Conservatory of Music Piano Academy at Gulangyu, becoming the youngest student to ever be accepted at the academy. He continued his studies soon after with William Chen at the Music Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, as well as trips to Hong Kong for extensive study with Eleanor Wong. By this time, Yangyang had already received numerous music awards in China, and his talent had also begun to gain attention overseas, earning him invitations to perform in Europe.
In 2017, Yangyang was selected as one of only two pianists to be accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Meng-Chieh Liu and was also the last student of Eleanor Sokoloff.
He is extremely grateful to Curtis for providing him with the opportunities to grow as an artist, such as befriending and collaborating with other world class musicians in chamber music ensembles, as well as going on tours with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and Curtis president Roberto Diaz.
Yangyang graduated from Curtis in May 2023 with both the Provost’s Award and the Sergei Rachmaninoff Award, which is awarded only once every three years. He has also been delegated as the first Curtis Institute of Music Alumni Representative in China.