Avan Yu is a Canadian classical pianist who has gained international recognition for his virtuosic performances and musical sensitivity. Born in 1987 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Yu began playing the piano at the age of five and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied with renowned teachers such as Lee Kum-Sing and Jane Coop, and later attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. Yu's career as a concert pianist began to take off in the early 2010s, when he won several prestigious competitions and awards. In 2010, he was the first Canadian to win the Sydney International Piano Competition, one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. He also won the Canadian Chopin Competition in 2012 and the Montreal International Musical Competition in 2013, cementing his reputation as one of the most talented young pianists of his generation. Yu's performances have been praised for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. He has performed with major orchestras around the world, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. He has also given recitals at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. One of Yu's most notable performances was his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in 2014, where he played Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. The performance was widely praised for its technical precision and emotional intensity, and helped to establish Yu as a major force in the classical music world. In addition to his performances as a soloist, Yu is also an accomplished chamber musician. He has collaborated with some of the world's leading musicians, including violinist James Ehnes and cellist Johannes Moser. He is also a member of the piano trio Triple Forte, which he formed with violinist Jasper Wood and cellist Yegor Dyachkov. Yu's recordings have received critical acclaim and have been praised for their musical sensitivity and technical brilliance. His debut album, "Piano Sonatas," was released in 2012 and features works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Prokofiev. His second album, "Schubert: Piano Sonatas," was released in 2015 and features some of Schubert's most beloved works for piano. In addition to his performing career, Yu is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. He has taught masterclasses at universities and conservatories around the world, and has served as a mentor to young musicians through programs such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Yu's achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to his competition wins, he has been named a Steinway Artist and a CBC Radio "30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30." He was also awarded the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts in 2014. Despite his many accomplishments, Yu remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He has said that his goal as a musician is to "create a connection with the audience and to share the beauty and power of music." With his technical brilliance and musical sensitivity, he is sure to continue to captivate audiences around the world for years to come.

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