We recently connected with Yee-Sik Wong and have shared our conversation below.
Yee-Sik, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
My name is Yee-Sik Wong. I’m originally from Hong Kong. I started playing piano when I was 4 and ballet when I was 5. I took lessons as a hobby when I was little. I came to the USA for my master’s degree in piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, and then continued my education at the University of Iowa where I received my doctoral degree in piano performance and pedagogy. Currently, I am in my 7th year as a pianist with the Kansas City Ballet (Prior moving to Kansas City, I was with Tulsa Ballet as a Company and Center for Dance Education pianist for 5 seasons).
I began accompanying ballet classes in 2007 while at the University of Iowa. At that time, I saw the University of Iowa’s Youth Ballet was looking for pianists for their classes, so I thought that would be something fun and interesting to do after school. The following year, the Dance Department of the University of Iowa was also looking for a pianist for their college classes. I got the job, and also started observing other more experienced pianists playing for class. At that time, I really enjoyed the opportunities that were given, but my wish to pursue accompanying ballet professionally really started in the summer of 2009, where I got the opportunity to work as a collaborative pianist in dance at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan.
In the summer of 2009, I got to spend 6 weeks working in the beautiful campus at the Interlochen Arts Camp. The dance building is right by the lake. Every day I got to accompany ballet classes surrounded by beautiful nature! I met many wonderful and inspiring faculties throughout the 6 weeks, they have helped me improved my skills in many different ways. I remember one afternoon I was practicing in one of those practice huts in the woods and I was like “THIS (being a ballet pianist) is what I want to do after I graduate!”
Yee-Sik, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a ballet pianist. I accompany ballet classes (from little kids to professional dancers) on a daily basis. I began accompanying ballet classes in 2007 while at the University of Iowa. After graduation, I joined Tulsa Ballet as a Company and Center for Dance Education pianist for 5 seasons. I moved to Kansas City in 2016 and joined Kansas City Ballet as a pianist.
In 2015, in collaborations with different colleagues, I started recording and releasing CDs for ballet classes—currently selling/streaming internationally. I started releasing CDs because I saw the need for good quality ballet class music for many ballet schools (not many ballet schools have the budget to hire pianists to play live music), so I wanted to do something to contribute to the field. I have a total of 14 CDs now, entitled “Inside Ballet Studio.” I think my playing is very clear for the dancers to hear the beats, very steady tempo in the recordings, and I have collected and arranged a wide variety of tunes, from classical to musical to pops.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to keep contributing to the field of ballet accompanying and sharing my music with the ballet world. I am hoping to have at least an album or two released every year.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding of releasing CDs for ballet class is knowing there are teachers out there using my albums. I also love hearing feedbacks!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yeesikpiano.yolasite.com/
- Instagram: @pianoyeesik
- Facebook: YeeSik Wong
- Youtube: Piano YSW