After four years of study in Anthropology, Nicole Ying (Qingdongfang Ying) found and realized her dream and passion in music. She decisively followed the voice in her heart and went on to pursue her Master’s degree in Piano Performance at California Institute of the Arts under Ming Tsu. She later received her Performer Diploma in both Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Jean-Louis Haguenauer, Anne Epperson, and Kevin Murphy. Currently, she is a Doctoral candidate and Teaching Assistant in Collaborative Piano at University of North Texas studying with Steve Harlos and Elvia Puccinelli.

 

       As a fervent and rising collaborator and passionate chamber music enthusiast, Nicole has performed with renown musicians including Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, Allen Fogel, Lorenz Gamma, Adam Liu, Andrew McIntosh, Mark Menzies, John Michel, Mitchell Newman, Phil O’Connor, and Dennis Parker. She has worked closely with leading figures in the field of collaborative piano such as Martin Katz, Kathleen Kelly, Ana Maria Otamendi, and Howard Watkins. Nicole is also a strong advocate for contemporary compositions. She has performed with The Ensemble at CalArts under the baton of Nicholas Deyoe, Mark Menzies, and Christopher Rountree, as well as an active member of the new music ensemble NOVA at UNT. 

 

       Having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with a minor in Korean language from the University of California, Los Angeles, Nicole is greatly intrigued and inspired by human nature, culture, and society. Nicole’s unique educational background enables her to view and approach music in a holistic and humanistic way. Outside of being a classical pianist, Nicole is an amateur singer. She was a member of the UCLA Chorale and UCLA Chamber Singers under the baton of maestro Donald Neuen. Recently, she sang Mahler Symphony No. 2 with the Cleveland Orchestra. When she is away from the piano, Nicole likes to spend her time in traveling, books, movies, and outdoor activities. She has a four-year-old cat named Ricky, and a two-year-old Shiba Inu named Verse.