W&L Presents a Masterclass with Pianist J.Y. Song The Nov. 9 event is sponsored by the university’s Concert Guild.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
October 28, 2025

The Department of Music at Washington and Lee University presents a masterclass with pianist J.Y. Song at 10 a.m. on Nov. 9 in Wilson Concert Hall in the Lenfest Center for the Arts.

The event is sponsored by W&L’s Concert Guild, which brings professional performing artists to campus each year for concerts and masterclasses. The event is open to the public, and no tickets are required.

Song will present the masterclass with students participating in the W&L piano program, then continue the discussion on navigating the world as a cross-cultural performer and educator with a curiosity that spans multiple disciplines, including music, science and entrepreneurship. A question-and-answer session will follow her talk.

Born in Taiwan and raised in Switzerland and the United States, Song brings a unique personality and background to her career as a pianist. Since her Lincoln Center recital debut, she has been praised for her varied programming and idiosyncratic musical tastes, and has developed a reputation as a skilled, inspiring pedagogue. She is also the co-founder of an online education platform that brings together world-class music faculty and talent across the globe. Currently based in New York City, she is a member of the piano faculty of the Mannes School of Music and teaches leadership and innovation at the Juilliard School. Her students include prize winners in major competitions in the U.S. and abroad.

Song has appeared in concert at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Mostly Mozart Festival in Avery Fisher Hall, the National Gallery, the Kennedy Center, the Théâtre de l’Athénée and Salle Cortot in Paris, and Taipei National Concert Hall. Her accolades include the Pro Musicis International Award, the Christel Award from the American Pianists Association, the Sudler Prize for outstanding achievement in the arts from Stanford University and the Petschek Award, the highest honor Juilliard awards to a pianist. Her recording of Claude Debussy’s “Etudes” was distinguished with a Diapason d’Or and designated a “Desert Island Selection” by Gramophone’s International Piano Quarterly. Song is also a Steinway Artist, meaning she has been recognized by Steinway & Sons for exceptional talent and dedication and performs exclusively on Steinway pianos.

Song studied at the Conservatoire de Genève, the Conservatoire de Lausanne and the Juilliard School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music and microbiology and immunology from Stanford University, a doctor of musical arts in piano performance from Juilliard and an MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business.

For a full list of events, visit the Department of Music’s website.