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

by Yukimi Song

Performing Arts Music Interviews

Season 6

Extra from Season 6 — Mada & Hugh Piano Duo on Creativity & Connection

✨ Happy Holidays, friends! This extra segment comes from Season 6, Episode 2 with the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo. Our conversation ran longer than expected, and while this part didn’t make it into the final episode, I couldn’t keep it from you — it’s just too good. In this excerpt, Mada & Hugh open up about creativity in its purest form: How hobbies and play can recharge us Why music connects us beyond perfection What it means to reclaim our humanity in an age of technology and AI The joy of making music without judgment or pressure Their reflections feel like the perfect reminder for this season: creativity is not about perfection, but about presence, freedom, and connection. 🎧 Enjoy this bonus episode with Mada and Hugh! Explore More from Mada & Hugh 📖 Read my blog about their YouTube vlogs: Meet Our Guest: Mada & Hugh Website: madahugh.com YouTube: @madahughpianoduo 🎬 Listen to the original episode released in September 2025: Four Hands, Boundless Creativity — Mada & Hugh Piano Duo here. 💖 Support The Piano Pod Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist: Click here Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe Website: thepianopod.com Social Media: linktr.ee/thepianopod Listen on all podcast platforms: linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio

Official Trailer ✅: "Bells of Nagasaki" feat. Pianist/Educator, Anli Lin Tong

The trailer for our upcoming episode is now live—and it offers a glimpse into one of the most reflective and quietly powerful conversations of this season. In Season 6, Episode 8 of The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and educator Anli Lin Tong for a deeply moving conversation about music as memory, faith, lineage, and moral witness. At the heart of this episode is Anli’s recent project, Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation—a concert created to honor the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. What began as a song her father used to sing, The Bells of Nagasaki, became the seed for a project shaped by history, spiritual reckoning, and the life of Dr. Takashi Nagai, a survivor who devoted his life to forgiveness and peace. Our conversation moves beyond repertoire and performance into questions that are rarely asked in classical music: What role can music play in healing and forgiveness? What responsibility does an artist carry when history is still unresolved? We also trace Anli’s artistic lineage—from early piano lessons guided by her father, to moving to the U.S. alone as a minor, to studying with legendary teachers and carrying their legacy forward through her work as a performer and educator. This episode is a reflection on remembrance, responsibility, and the artist’s calling—and on the quiet power of music to hold history, faith, and humanity together. ✨ The full episode premieres Tuesday, December 16, at 8:00 PM ET on YouTube, with the audio episode released simultaneously on all major podcast platforms. 📝 Learn more about Anli and her work HERE — Yukimi

Official Trailer ✅ "Between Worlds" Mirna Lekić on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection

Here is the TRAILER — Between Worlds: From Sarajevo to New York: A Conversation on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection feat. Mirna Lekić This week on The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and champion of new music Mirna Lekić for a conversation that moves between cultures, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of artistic identity. From Sarajevo to New York, we explore cultural crossings, sonic imagination, and the power of music to connect and ground us. ✨ The full episode drops this Tuesday, December 9 at 8pm ET — and I’d love for you to join us. 📺 Set Reminder for the YouTube Premiere 🎧 Audio episode will be available everywhere simultaneously 📝 Learn more about Mirna and her album MIRAGE on Substack See you on Tuesday for a powerful conversation on cultural crossings, sonic identity, and the art of connection.

Bonus Episode: Introducing the Zainichi Music Project

Happy Thanksgiving! In this bonus episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal — a part of my identity I’ve rarely spoken about publicly. I am a third-generation Zainichi Korean, born and raised in Japan, and I’m finally stepping into that history through a new creative initiative called The Zainichi Music Project, now sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts. This episode marks the beginning of that journey — a project that will grow into a living archive of research, new music commissions, recordings, interviews, and documentary work. In this episode, I talk about: What the word Zainichi actually means, How Japanese colonial rule — not immigration — brought our community into Japan, How postwar restructuring and the San Francisco Peace Treaty left Zainichi Koreans stateless, What it meant to be born and raised in a country that never fully recognized us as citizens, And why this project is my way of honoring our history, resilience, and creative legacy. For those who want to go deeper, please read my Substack essay, “Behind the Mic: Reclaiming Voice Through Sound,” where I share more about my experience growing up Zainichi. Thank you for listening — and for being part of The Piano Pod community. If you’d like to follow this new project, you can subscribe to Substack and follow @zainichimusicproject on Instagram and TikTok. More soon, and thank you for supporting this next chapter.

Official Trailer ✅: "The Embodied Pianist" Pianist Elena Riu on Presence, Breath, and Artistic Freedom

Get ready for our next episode of The Piano Pod: The Embodied Pianist with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher. In this powerful conversation, we explore embodied performance, somatics, breath, creativity, cultural identity, and even the menstrual cycle as a source of artistic insight. Elena’s work challenges long-held assumptions about what pianists should play, how they should train, and how the body shapes sound. In this episode, Elena and I talk about: ✅ Her journey from Venezuela to the UK — and how navigating multiple identities shaped her artistry ✅ The creation of Salsa Nueva and the importance of commissioning new works ✅ What it means to challenge 19th-century biases about repertoire and artistic identity ✅ Her work as an embodied pianist and how somatics, breath, and movement transform playing ✅ Collaboration with dancers, visual artists, poets, and composers ✅ Why she opens taboo conversations like creativity and the menstrual cycle among biologically female performers 🎬 Set a reminder for the premiere tomorrow at 8 pm ET: https://youtu.be/exIQxYGbQw8 🎧 Prefer audio? Listen to the audio episode (Spotify, Apple, Amazon & more) available tomorrow, November 18 at 8:00pm ET: https://rss.com/podcasts/the-piano-pod/ 📝 Read my full review of Elena’s groundbreaking album Salsa Nueva on Substack #ThePianoPod #Season6 #ElenaRiu #EmbodiedPianist #SalsaNueva #LatinAmericanMusic #NewMusic #ContemporaryPiano #SteinwayArtist #WomenInMusic #Somatics #MusiciansHealth #ClassicalMusicReimagined

Official Trailer ✅: This Is Jazz, Season 6 Episode 5, feat. Quentin Walston

In this trailer, get a glimpse into my upcoming conversation with Quentin Walston — a pianist, composer, and educator known for his joyful fusion of jazz, improvisation, and storytelling. In this episode, we dive into creativity, connection, and the spirit of collaboration that defines his work and the evolving world of modern musicianship. ✨ Watch the YouTube Premiere: https://youtu.be/hYK86QGXxW0 🎧 Listen to the full audio episode: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio 📰 Learn more about Quentin — read my latest blog on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-quentin-walston?r=2q1iy3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web 🎹 The Piano Pod is an award-winning podcast and YouTube show reimagining classical and contemporary music through authentic conversations with artists, educators, and cultural innovators shaping the future of the art form. #ThePianoPod #QuentinWalston #Jazz #Podcast #Season6 #CreativityAndConnection #Trailer

Official Trailer ✅: "The World of MICROVIDS" feat. Composer, Stefania De Kenessey

🎶✨ How can nineteen miniature piano pieces transform into a boundless world of music, poetry, collaboration, and film? Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an extraordinary episode featuring composer Stefania de Kenessey and her latest project, Microvids. What began as small, intimate sketches during the pandemic has blossomed into her most expansive and personal work — brought to life through powerful collaborations across instruments, voices, ensembles, and even award-winning films. In this conversation, Stefania shares: ✅ The surprising origins of Microvids and its evolution across multiple formats ✅ How collaboration turned tiny piano pieces into something vast and universal ✅ Why Microvids resonates with youth orchestras, students, and audiences worldwide ✅ The role of love, vulnerability, and connection in her music ✅ Her advocacy for women in music and her vision for the next generation 🎬 Don’t miss it! Watch the premiere on Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:00 pm ET right here on our YouTube channel 🎧 Prefer audio? The episode will also drop everywhere you listen to podcasts at the same time! Explore more: 🌐 Website: https://www.stefaniadekenessey.com/ 🎼 Album: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6751/

Encore Conversations 1: Beyond the Keys & Radiance - Jeeyoon Kim on Love, Resilience, and Creativity

🔥 “Music isn’t just about playing the notes — it’s about living beyond the keys.” 🔥Welcome to the premiere of Encore Conversations — The Piano Pod’s new series, where past guests return for short, powerful conversations about their latest projects and evolving journeys. To kick it off, I’m joined by Jeeyoon Kim — pianist, educator, podcaster, and now a two-time author. You may remember her from Season 3, when she shared her debut book, Whenever You’re Ready, and her bold mission to transform the concert experience. Now she’s back with her new book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance — projects that dive even deeper into love, resilience, and the creative spirit. 🎶 The episode opens with Jeeyoon’s stunning performance of Piazzolla’s Libertango (arr. Kyoko Yamamoto), also featured on Radiance. From her unforgettable 2023 Carnegie Hall debut to the raw personal stories she reveals in Beyond the Keys, Jeeyoon shows us how music, writing, and life lessons intertwine to create something extraordinary. 📌 Explore More 🎶 Watch the full Libertango performance (from Radiance): 📖 Download 4 free chapters of Beyond the Keys 🛒 Order Beyond the Keys on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3DTUMik ✨ If you missed Jeeyoon’s first Piano Pod appearance (Season 3, Episode 14), go back and listen. You’ll see why her originality and authenticity continue to inspire this community. 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Encore Conversations and Season 6 episodes that celebrate Creativity & Connection. [The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music] 💖 Subscribe to our Substack page for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh Stay Connected: 🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱

Official Trailer ✅ Encore Conversations Ep. 1 | Jeeyoon Kim — Beyond the Keys & Radiance

In this special premiere of Encore Conversations, The Piano Pod’s brand-new alumni series, I sit down with award-winning pianist, author, and educator Jeeyoon Kim. You may remember her from Season 3, where she inspired us with her originality, authenticity, and mission to make concerts deeply personal. Now she returns with her most intimate project yet — her second book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance. In our Encore Conversation, Jeeyoon opens up about: ✅ The inspiration behind Beyond the Keys ✅ Why she chose to share her deepest challenges with her readers ✅ What she discovered about herself through writing ✅ How her new album Radiance expands on the book’s themes of love, resilience, and connection 🎬 Join the broadcast of this special Encore Conversation on September 9, 2025, at 8:00pm ET: https://youtu.be/0bpMQiBLkaY [Jeeyoon Kim] 🎹 Watch Libertango from Radiance: https://youtu.be/LK3dnspkqEY?si=5Ml6VZcQ6_OPu8_R 📖 Free preview (4 chapters) of Beyond the Keys: https://dedicated-thinker-5780.kit.com/3ee9541685 🛒 Order the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3DTUMik 🌐 Website: https://www.jeeyoonkim.com [The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music] 💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh

Official Trailer ✅: "Four Hands, Boundless Creativity," feat. Mada & Hugh Piano Duo

🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative? Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an electrifying episode featuring the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their imaginative arrangements, captivating performances, and cross-cultural collaboration, Mada & Hugh are redefining what it means to perform and create in the 21st century. In this conversation, they share: ✅ The artistry and intimacy of four-hand piano playing ✅ Their daring arrangements — from Romanian folk gems to Sweet Child O’ Mine ✅ Behind-the-scenes secrets of their video productions ✅ Insights into their entrepreneurial journeys, from George Crumb research to inventing AirTurn ✅ How love, creativity, and connection fuel their partnership on and off the stage 🎬 Don’t miss it! Watch the premiere on Tuesday, Sept 23 at 8:00pm ET right here on our YouTube channel 👇 👉 🎧 Prefer audio? The episode will also drop everywhere you listen to podcasts at the same time! https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio Explore more: 🌐 Website: https://www.madahugh.com/ 📺 YouTube: @madahughpianoduo 🎹 Watch the entire performance of Suita din Dobrogea by Mada and Hugh Piano Duo: https://youtu.be/RiKUH1wR3Po?si=mmcH6OARFWWMIgev

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