Yiyun Gu – Pianist & Music Educator

 

Yiyun Gu is a Melbourne-based pianist known for her versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and dedicated music educator. She holds a Master of Music (Performance) from the University of Melbourne, where she studied with Stephen McIntyre AM. With a deep passion for sharing music, she has built a vibrant career performing across Australia and supporting students and fellow musicians in both artistic and educational settings.

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Born in Shanghai, Yiyun began studying piano at the age of three. She made her concerto debut at twelve with Mozart’s Piano Concerto in F major, followed by the Yellow River Concerto at thirteen. At fourteen, she won second prize at the Zhi-Yin Youth Piano Competition during the 1999 Shanghai Spring Music Festival.

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She has performed at major venues and festivals including the Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Town Hall, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, Brunswick Beethoven Festival, Government House, Federation Square, forty-five Downstairs, and Tempo Rubato. Her appearances include solo recitals, orchestral collaborations, and chamber performances featuring both Western classical and Asian-inspired repertoire.

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In recent years, her solo programs at the Melbourne Recital Centre between 2018 and 2022 have included From Peking Opera to Don Giovanni, Tales of the Wind, the Night & the Far East, and East Meets West. Other notable solo projects include Beethoven’s Appassionata and Op. 2 No. 3 sonatas at the Brunswick Beethoven Festival, and a 2015 fundraising concert for Dili Hospital, supported by the National Trust of Australia and the Team of Pianists.​ She has also performed with the Melbourne University Symphony Orchestra at Melbourne Town Hall and was invited to participate in the ANAM music festival. She has been a featured artist on 3MBS radio and was invited as one of Australia’s leading pianists to perform in the 2013 3MBS Beethoven Marathon at Federation Square. Her other appearances include the Allen House Concert Series at Ormond College and the Music Lovers’ Society of Victoria.

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In 2023, she was invited to perform the orchestral piano part for the Yellow River Cantata under the baton of the Chief Conductor of the Shanghai Opera—an experience that reflects both her technical command and cultural versatility.

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Her competition achievements include being a finalist in the Australian National Piano Award (2012 and 2014), third prize at the 2015 ASKM Gold Coast Open Piano Competition, and participation in the China International Piano Competition and the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition.

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Yiyun’s international development includes study at Chetham’s International Summer School (UK) and Virtuoso & Belcanto Festival (Italy), where she received coaching from renowned pianists including Leslie Howard, Boris Berman, Graham Scott, and Murray McLachlan.

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As a chamber musician, Yiyun collaborates with a broad network of instrumentalists, including violinists, cellists, saxophonists, and traditional Chinese instrumentalists such as erhu, bridging classical traditions with diverse musical cultures. Her recent projects span both Western and cross-cultural repertoires, and she is highly regarded for her adaptability across styles, from classical works to Chinese folk fusion and contemporary arrangements. She also works closely with school-aged and tertiary students on AMEB, VCE, competitions, auditions, and university performances.

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In addition to her performance career, Yiyun is passionate about teaching. She currently teaches piano, theory, and classroom music across primary and secondary levels, and leads ensemble coaching and performance preparation from beginner to diploma level. She brings a broad academic background to her work. In addition to a Master of Music, she holds a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Commerce, and is currently completing a Master of Teaching.

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Interview in Limelight Magazine

https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/pianist-yiyun-gu-on-east-meets-west/