We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yaqi Wang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yaqi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
My parents were entrepreneurs who ran a chain of over a dozen restaurants and clothing stores. I’m their only child, and seeing how demanding and exhausting the business world could be, they encouraged me to pursue a path in classical music, hoping it would offer a more refined and fulfilling life.
However, the classical music world turned out to be far more challenging than they had imagined—it’s highly competitive, with a niche and selective audience. Still, growing up in a business-oriented family taught me valuable lessons in risk management, resource allocation, and the importance of staying grounded and detail-oriented.
When they sent me to the United States, I was determined to make the most of the opportunity. I earned a doctorate degree with two concentrations in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, and eventually built a career in both education and arts entrepreneurship. I founded Concert Star, a company dedicated to organizing international music competitions and cultural events. I’m deeply grateful to my parents—not only for their support, but also for the mindset they instilled in me from an early age.
Yaqi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Dr. Yaqi Wang, and I’m a concert pianist, educator, and founder of Concert Star Organization—a global initiative dedicated to elevating the next generation of classical musicians. I hold a doctoral degree with two concentrations in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, and my journey in classical music began not only with a deep passion for the art form, but also with a desire to create real, practical opportunities for young artists navigating this highly competitive field.
Concert Star Organization is a global classical music initiative dedicated to discovering and showcasing exceptional musical talent.
Under the motto “Where Music Shines Bright,” our organization offers a wide range of programs:
– International music competitions
– Festivals and masterclasses
– Artist mentorship and management
One of our flagship events is the Concert Star Classical Music Competition, which culminates in a performance at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall each year. This prestigious event has been featured in New York Weekly, NY Wire, and LA Voyage, and our 2025 edition will be held on October 5, 2025. We host in-person auditions in Los Angeles, judged by a distinguished panel that has included Grammy-nominated artists, finalists from the Van Cliburn and Chopin Competitions, and professors from renowned institutions like The Colburn School, University of Michigan, and Peabody Institute.
What sets us apart is the quality and depth of our programming. We don’t just offer a stage—we offer mentorship, professional feedback, and a real career pipeline. I’m most proud of how Concert Star has grown into a truly international music community, connecting emerging artists with audiences and industry leaders worldwide.
Our mission is to support musicians not only as performers but also as future leaders and creators in the classical music world. Whether you are a young artist, an educator, or a music lover, I hope you’ll see Concert Star as a place where passion meets opportunity—and where music truly shines bright.
To learn more, visit: https://concertstar.org
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the most defining moments in my journey was turning a simple idea into a world-class event held at Carnegie Hall—arguably the most iconic and historic stage in classical music. For nearly two centuries, it has been the dream stage for musicians around the globe. I knew I wanted to create something meaningful and lasting, but I was caught between two extremes: high-level competitions that were incredibly difficult to access, and pay-to-play events that lacked integrity and artistic value. Neither path felt right.
So I asked myself: Why not create my own competition—one that is truly high-caliber, artistically meaningful, and held at Carnegie Hall? It was a bold vision, but I was determined to make it real.
For years, I had studied and observed top-tier competitions like the Van Cliburn and Chopin International Competitions. I also participated in elite festivals across the U.S. and Europe, building relationships with performers, professors, and jury members. With over 20 years of experience in the industry—and a strong network of colleagues, mentors, and collaborators—I began to lay the groundwork for what would become the Concert Star Classical Music Competition.
My background growing up in a business-minded family also helped me navigate the logistics, strategy, and sustainability of the project. It wasn’t easy—bringing a new brand into the classical music world takes courage, precision, and a lot of perseverance. But through careful planning, relationship-building, and an unwavering belief in the mission, I made it happen.
Today, the Concert Star competition is a global event that brings top talent to Carnegie Hall each year. That journey—from idea to execution—remains one of the most powerful examples of resilience in my life.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Over the past few months, I’ve had the incredible fortune of building a team of passionate, talented professionals who truly believe in the mission of Concert Star. Some I met through organizing events, others were introduced by mutual friends, and a few were longtime acquaintances who reconnected with me after hearing about the growing impact of our competition.
Our team brings together a rich blend of experiences. Some have classical music backgrounds similar to mine, while others offer diverse perspectives from fields like Music Business at NYU and MBA programs, including one member who previously worked at New Oriental, one of China’s leading education companies. One team member even runs her own music studio, which gives her hands-on insight into education and artist development—something that adds great value to our programming.
Each person contributes something unique—whether it’s marketing and branding, product development, media outreach, or community engagement. For the first time, I feel like I’m not building this alone. There’s a true sense of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared vision.
Having such a dedicated and skilled team by my side gives me immense hope for the future. Together, I believe we can take Concert Star to new heights and continue creating meaningful opportunities for musicians around the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://concertstar.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concert_star?igsh=YzdkMHB1d3g5amNs&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555143657949&mibextid=kFxxJD
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/concert-star-llc/people/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertStar2023
- Other: Red note: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5c9229b6000000001203ec30?xsec_token=YBZQYdYvgMe5z9cxKIHb17Udm7RLpHda5ofnMluMqN7eE=&xsec_source=app_share&xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=548317af2e1d932edbab1766&apptime=1751997723&share_id=7cf21d9d82b64e83bec964b6f171af34
Image Credits
David Pierre. Mingfu Han