Tingting Yao, piano





The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is honored to present Tingting Yao as their Symphony Spotlight.
In just two seasons with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra, Tingting Yao has already made a remarkable impression. Starting piano lessons at the age of three and a half, she fulfilled her mother’s dream of learning the instrument. Her early dedication and talent led to first-place wins at national piano competitions in China as a child and admission to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s elementary school through a national audition.
Throughout her illustrious career, she has amassed a series of impressive accomplishments: admitted into the elementary school of Shanghai Conservatory of Music from a national audition at the age of nine, pianist/soloist to perform with the German orchestra for Tongji University’s 100th anniversary, obtained advanced degrees with distinction from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in England, selected by pianist Lang Lang from a national search to be one of the six piano teachers to teach in his first piano school (Lang Lang Music World) in Shenzhen, China, and teaching at the University of Memphis, where she played for an astonishing 34 degree recitals in just a month and a half.
Her love for music is matched by her playful spirit—she’s an avid Lego builder, with her most challenging creation being a grand piano with 3,662 pieces. Proudly calling herself a “Jedi pianist,” she draws inspiration from her love of Star Wars and her impressive recital record.
“I love Star Wars, love the Jedi master and the baby yoda,” she shared. “After I played 34 degree recitals in one month and a half in the spring of 2021, I was proud enough to call myself a Jedi pianist. I think I probably made a record of the number of recitals a collaborative pianist can accomplish in a short time. Prior to the recitals happening, I probably did 100 rehearsals with the students.”
When asked about her musical influences, she credits her mother’s unwavering dedication, sharing heartfelt memories of lessons and late-night practice sessions guided by her mother’s meticulous notes.
“My mom had planned for me to learn the piano before I was born,” she said. “For what I remember, every time I was to have a lesson in the piano teacher’s house, my mom would ride me on her bike to the bus stop, take the bus, then walk to the teacher’s house. My mom would take notes on a notebook on all things the teacher talked about. When we get home from the lesson, no matter how late it was or how tired I was, my mom would make me play the piano and correct the mistakes the teacher had pointed out while everything was fresh. It is my mom’s dedication, support, and love that paved the path for me.”
Besides playing for the German orchestra’s 100th anniversary, Tingting’s most memorable moment was during her time teaching at Lang Lang Music World. “I had the honor of playing the first Mvt of Rachmaninov Piano Concerto with Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in Shenzhen Concert Hall which has 1680 seats. Lang Lang performed in the second half in the same concert.”
Her fondest memories with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra include the 2021 Christmas concert, where she performed music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, and being featured as a soloist in the 2024 Spring concert, performing Debussy’s Clair de Lune.
Come see Tingting Yao play at the Conroe Symphony’s Great Expectations concert. She will perform a solo during Rhapsody in Blue with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra Feb. 7 at 2:30 pm. at First Methodist Conroe.