We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Schmidt Trio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Schmidt , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2023, we created our very first full recital program. In choosing our pieces, not only did we have to think about what skills we wanted to showcase, but also how we communicate and connect with the audience. Classical music performances often feature pieces that were written by predominantly European male composers. As students, we recognize the importance of learning repertoire from such renowned composers, however, we felt that they were not enough to distinguish ourselves as a unique unit. This inspired us to choose pieces that represent our personal backgrounds, keeping certain aspects in mind such as culture, nationality, time period and atmosphere.

Our research led us to the realization that repertoire for piano trios are quite limited, especially with pieces that resonate with our time and place today. This is when we started to question the misconceptions and fixed labels of “contemporary music”. We believe that contemporary music has so much more to offer than the stereotypical atonality, asymmetrical meter and extended technique that many people think of. This sparked our interest in working with young, up-and-coming composers who align with our philosophy.

We wanted to provide a space where artists can share a part of their identity creatively through composing. We recognized that individuals are influenced by their own cultural identities and saw the opportunity to come up with a project that shines light to underrepresented composers. Works that are featured in our project act as representations of the various communities to which each composer resonates with.

We launched our project “Cultural Canvas” with a Composers Competition, held in August 2023, calling for piano trio scores that followed the theme of Cultural Expression. The collaborator who spoke to us the most was Cole Reyes and his piece, “melt, meld, mould” (2023), which was inspired by how Reyes’s upbringing opened his eyes to the intersectionality of contrasting cultures. The piece was premiered in New York City in May of 2024. We are currently working on upcoming projects with Miu Sato and Anton Kot coming Spring of 2025. Our goal for “Cultural Canvas” is to put these meaningful works into a recorded album.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We are a piano trio based in New York City, where we are completing our Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance at New York University. Our journey began with a shared love of classical music and commitment to pushing boundaries of what a young chamber music group can achieve. In March 2023, we were honored to win the gold prize in our first competition, and just a month later, we made our Carnegie Hall debut with Brahms’s Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major. These milestones were pivotal moments in the early stages of our musical journey and they solidified our belief in the power of young artists to inspire and innovate within the classical music world.

In addition to our presence in New York, we’ve been fortunate to perform internationally. In the fall of 2023, we had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Paris, where we performed at venues such as the École normale de musique de Paris and la Fondation des États-Unis. During our time in Paris, we were awarded with the Prix Niki de Saint Phalle for Artistic Excellence, an honor that recognized our creativity, innovation, and dedication to our craft. We have also spent time in Porto, Portugal, where we attended Porto Pianofest as artists in residence and became the premier chamber group at that festival to do so.

Our work focuses on cultivating inclusive spaces within the classical music industry, where young artists can thrive, share their voices, and break from conventional norms. We’re passionate about advocating for ourselves as musicians and generating opportunities to collaborate with composers, photographs, videographers, and other rising creatives. Through these collaborations, we not only grow artistically but also aim to inspire the next generation of musicians to challenge traditional boundaries and find their own voice.

What sets us apart from others is our commitment to representing young artists and creating a forward-thinking, inclusive environment within the classical music scene. We believe that artistry is not solely about the music, but it is about creating connections and fostering a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about pushing the boundaries. We are most proud of the way we’ve been able to grow as musicians while remaining true to our core values, and we’re excited to continue creating innovative projects that display both our classical roots and our desire to evolve as artists.

We would like potential clients, followers, and fans to know that we are deeply committed to our craft and to making classical music more accessible and relevant to today’s world. We know that the classical music world can feel exclusive and intimidating at times. We understand that the classical music scene can sometimes feel exclusive and intimidating, which is why our goal is to create an open invitation to our performances—making classical music feel welcoming, especially to younger generations. We are dedicated to fostering artistic growth and are always looking for ways to collaborate with other creatives, bringing fresh and exciting ideas to life.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There’s a book called Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music by Angela Myles Beeching, and we’ve pretty much based the early stages of our group’s management on its philosophy. The book offers extremely valuable insights on starting out as a musician—things like what to include on your resume, how to build your portfolio, and how to write an artist bio. But more importantly, it encourages musicians to treat themselves as small businesses and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset. This is something that’s often not taught in traditional music schools.

In music schools, the focus is primarily on perfecting your instrument, not necessarily on developing a growth mindset or learning how to create opportunities for yourself. Beyond Talent helped us navigate this transition, guiding us through everything from building our own website to launching our personal project, Cultural Canvas, and even forming a local concert series. It’s been an era of trial and error, and one of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that we can’t be afraid of putting ourselves out there.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as reaching out to a hundred organizations, because in the end, all you need is one “yes.” It’s hard to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, especially when we don’t have much to fall back on. But what we’ve discovered is that you genuinely never know what can come from taking that risk—and that’s been the most important (and rewarding) mindset we’ve adopted.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can best support artists and creatives by recognizing and respecting the immense work that goes into producing art. We put in countless hours of practice, preparation, and teamwork to create something meaningful. Whether it’s planning a program, rehearsing, fine-tuning a performance in an unfamiliar venue, or simply navigating the challenges of our craft, the level of effort is unparalleled. It’s a rewarding but incredibly demanding lifestyle, physically and mentally.

Beyond monetary support, there’s a broader, more community-based approach that society can take to foster a thriving creative ecosystem. This includes attending performances, engaging with artists, and sharing the work we do within personal and professional circles. The arts aren’t just a one-way exchange: they thrive on collaboration and community involvement. When people engage with the arts, whether through attendance, promotion, or advocacy, they contribute to a larger cultural circle that benefits everyone.

Of course, funding from both public and private sources is crucial in making art accessible. Supporting grants, sponsorships, and fair compensation for performers are essential for allowing artists to focus on their craft without the financial strain of balancing multiple jobs. This investment not only sustains the livelihood of artists but also contributes to the cultural health of a society.

Music schools also play a key role in supporting emerging artists by providing platforms to showcase their talents. These institutions not only help students build professional networks but also foster connections between emerging artists and their surrounding communities. When society invests in both the educational and professional development of artists, it builds an interconnected relationship that nourishes everyone.

Ultimately, a thriving creative ecosystem depends on the collective efforts of both the artists and the community. By recognizing the value of the arts and actively participating in them, society can ensure that artists are given the respect, resources, and opportunities they need to continue creating work that inspires, educates, and enriches us all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://schmidttrio.com
• Instagram: schmidt.trio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@schmidttrio
• Other: TikTok: @schmidttrio

Image Credits

Josh Darkwah
Ashley Cho
Carly Lin