Jeannie Yu is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Seoul, South Korea in 1982, Yu showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music, enrolling her in the Yewon School of Arts, a prestigious music school in Seoul. Yu's talent quickly became apparent, and she began winning competitions and performing in public at a young age. In 1996, she won first prize in the Korea Times Music Competition, and in 1998, she won the grand prize in the Ewha-Kyunghyang Music Competition. These early successes paved the way for Yu's future career as a concert pianist. In 2000, Yu moved to the United States to continue her musical studies at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, she studied with renowned pianists Yoheved Kaplinsky and Jerome Lowenthal, honing her technique and deepening her understanding of the classical repertoire. She also had the opportunity to perform in some of the city's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. After graduating from Juilliard with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2004, Yu continued her studies at the Yale School of Music, where she earned a Master of Music degree in 2006. During her time at Yale, she won the school's concerto competition and performed with the Yale Philharmonia, further cementing her reputation as a rising star in the classical music world. Since then, Yu has gone on to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She has also given recitals in major concert halls around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Yu's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing works by composers from Bach to Ligeti. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann, and has recorded several albums of their works. Her recordings have received critical acclaim, with Gramophone magazine praising her "impeccable technique and musical insight." In addition to her performing career, Yu is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught at the Juilliard School, the Yale School of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music, and has given masterclasses around the world. Her students have gone on to win major competitions and perform in prestigious venues, carrying on Yu's legacy of excellence in music education. Throughout her career, Yu has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the classical music world. In 2009, she was named a Steinway Artist, joining a select group of pianists who are recognized for their exceptional talent and dedication to the instrument. In 2012, she received the Avery Fisher Career Grant, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding young musicians and provides them with financial support to further their careers. Yu's dedication to her craft and her passion for music have made her one of the most respected and admired pianists of her generation. Her performances continue to inspire audiences around the world, and her legacy as a performer and teacher will undoubtedly continue to shape the classical music world for years to come.

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