The making of a Chinese piano star

The Chinese pianist Yung Yung Guo, 20, won the gold medal and $30,000 at the Gurwitz 2024 International Piano Competition in San Antonio, Texas, this weekend. It was her first visit to the US.

Her previous best performance at a major competition was 3rd prize in the Sydney International Piano Competition last year. She also won an online competition.

Her career details give a fascinating insight into the production curve of Chinese music careers:

Born in Hong Kong, Yungyung Guo began her piano study at the age of four. After instruction from
teachers Jia Xie and Meidan Guo, she graduated from the Affiliated Middle School of the Shanghai
Conservatory of Music. She has been awarded the People’s Scholarship, the Shanghai Scholarship, and
the Lily En-Teh New Scholarship.
Yungyung was awarded the Gold Medal with High Distinction from the (online) Manhattan International Music
Competition, and first prizes from the World Piano Teachers Association International Piano
Competition, San Francisco Artciál International Piano Competition, G-Clef International Music
Competition, Pacific Stars International Piano Competition and Orbetello International Piano
Competition. She is also a laureate of the NextGen International Piano Competition, WPTA Spain
International Piano Competition, WPTA Singapore International Piano Competition, the Sviatoslav
Richter International Piano Competition and the “Young Talents” Concerto Competition.
Guo has performed at the Basilica Di San Pietro Concert Hall (Italy), and renowned Chinese venues such
as National Centre for the Performing Arts (Beijing), Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Concert Hall,
Shangyin Opera House, He Luting Concert Hall, Hangzhou Grand Theater, Shangyin Opera House, Ningbo

Concert Hall and Hongtai Concert Hall in Xiamen. She has appeared worldwide as a soloist and chamber
musician at music festivals, giving an acclaimed performance at Music Fest Perugia with the Brunensis
Virtuosi Orchestra under the baton of Gaddiel Dombrowner and with the Shanghai Philharmonic
Orchestra under Xiao-ou Zhao.
Yungyung’s top prize at the (online) Manhattan International Competition also led to a recording opportunity
under the Orpheus label, with her album to be released soon.