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Yukimi Song is a multi-faceted musician based in Brooklyn. “With a U-Haul and a dream,” Song attended NYU and double-majored in journalism and music, earning her master’s and a postgraduate degree in piano. Though she enjoys teaching both in a studio setting and as a faculty member, a love for performing remains at her core. Song has appeared across the U.S. and Asia–but her favorite project to date is launching The Piano Pod, a podcast combining storytelling, music, education, and community that has hosted around 100 guests–from Grammy winners to neuroscientists! Through this platform, Song curates educational resources to her listening community. Her advice to young artists? “Performing with depth and authenticity requires more than hours in a practice room or appearances on stage—it demands thatyou live… Let life shape your music, not the other way around.” Read on to learn more about Yukimi Song and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Name: Yukimi Song
Heritage: Third-generation Zainichi Korean (ethnic Korean, born and raised in Japan)
Note: Zainichi Koreans are ethnic Koreans who reside in Japan, many of whom are descendants of those who were forcibly brought to Japan during its colonial rule over Korea (1910–1945). Despite being born and raised in Japan for generations, Zainichi Koreans are often excluded from full citizenship rights in both Japan and South Korea. I held South Korean nationality, but even that did not provide the full protections or recognition of true citizenship. In Japan, I was granted 'Special Permanent Resident' status—a fragile designation that could be revoked if I stayed abroad too long. While in the U.S., following the death of my mother, I was unable to return within the required timeframe. My residency was rescinded, leaving me without a country until I ultimately became a U.S. citizen.
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Current City: Brooklyn, New York
Current Project: ProducingThe Piano Pod, a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music. What began as a thriving biweekly podcast has grown into so much more—a dynamic platform featuring inspiring YouTube content, thought-provoking conversations with trailblazing guests, and exciting live events designed to bring musicians and audiences closer together in meaningful ways. Now in its fifth season, the show is exploring the theme of authenticity and joy in the arts. I am also preparing for our first-ever live in-person event in NYC—The Piano Pod: Live in Concert—a groundbreaking evening of live music, storytelling, and community connection. This event will bring together past podcast guests and new voices, blending performances with meaningful conversation. It will highlight artists who are redefining classical music in real-time, opening the floor to audiences for dialogue and creating an inclusive and vibrant space where tradition meets innovation. More than just a concert, it is a live extension of the podcast's core mission: to bridge the gap between the classical music world and today's diverse, curious audience.
What are some of your favorite credits/projects:
Without a doubt—The Piano Pod. This project represents a full-circle moment in my life. I was trained as a classical pianist, but had to pause that path due to family circumstances. I asked myself,'What kind of future can I build on my own?What professions would allow me to earn a living independently as a female professional in Japan?' I had to prioritize practicality, think on my feet, and make choices that would allow me to become self-reliant. As an 18-year-old, I had to confront some harsh realities.
That drive led me to journalism, a more sustainable path at the time. I arrived in the United States as a college student, learning English and navigating a new culture. But even during that period, music never left me—it remained my internal compass. I eventually returned to music, and everything I’d built—my studies, my community, and my creative instincts—came full circle throughThe Piano Pod.
I went on to double-major in journalism and music, then earned both a master’s and a postgraduate degree in piano. While at NYU, one of my professors casually suggested I try podcasting—a seed that stayed with me. Years later, it evolved intoThe Piano Pod—a platform that combines storytelling, music, education, and community. Since its launch in 2020, the platform has featured nearly 100 guests, including Grammy winners, Steinway Artists, neuroscientists, educators, and creative pioneers. It has evolved into a vibrant global community, boasting over 300,000 downloads and nearly 3,000 YouTube subscribers.
Teaching has also been a core part of my work—it provided me with the foundation to establish both my professional and personal life independently in a new country. Ironically, as a teenager, I never imagined myself becoming a piano teacher. Back then, I associated piano teaching, confined to a tiny studio in Japan, with repeating the same lessons day after day. But life took me in a different direction, and I discovered that teaching, when done with purpose and creativity, could be expansive and transformative. I've taught students of all ages and levels, mentored conservatory-bound musicians, and supported interdisciplinary creatives. Whether through my studio or my seven years as a full-time college faculty member, I’ve helped students embrace music as both a craft and a compass—I gave them music, but more importantly, I gave them a deeper sense of life. Music became an integral part of their identity, outlet, and anchor.
Performing remains essential to who I am. My solo and chamber appearances across the U.S., New York, and Asia continue to anchor my work and reconnect me to the heart of my artistic voice. It’s through performance that I remain inspired—as a creator, producer, pedagogue, and thinker.
Any advice for young people getting into the arts?
Living your life—fully, honestly, even messily—is the best way to become the artist you are meant to be. Performing with depth and authenticity requires more than hours in a practice room or appearances on stage—it demands thatyou live. The harder and more complicated life gets, the more raw material you have to draw from as an artist. When things fall apart, how you emerge reveals who you really are. Instead of focusing solely on curating your artistry from the outside in, work on yourself from the inside out. Let life shape your music, not the other way around.
How did you get your start?
Not with accolades or connections—but with a U-Haul and a dream. When I lost my job and visa after working at a college in Florida, I drove alone to New York in my Honda Accord, hitched a U-Haul trailer to the back, and enrolled at NYU, rebuilding my life from scratch. My start wasn’t handed to me—I created it.
Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you'd like to share?
I don’t measure my career in singular highlights. Instead, I view it as a continuous, layered journey—one marked by persistence, reinvention, and purpose. I’ve never had the luxury of separating life from career; the obstacles I’ve overcome—grief, statelessness, starting from nothing—are woven into the very fabric of my artistic path. What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built a life and body of work rooted in truth and resilience. Rather than chasing moments of acclaim, I’ve focused on building something meaningful—whether guiding students toward their artistic breakthroughs, returning to the stage after my mother’s passing during my college years, or buildingThe Piano Pod into a platform that now connects listeners and subscribers worldwide. In those moments, music became far more than my craft.
What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?
The hardest thing has been this:being seen.Fully. Not just for my résumé or achievements, but for the complexity of my story. I know, as artists, we are told that our music or performances should say everything, but in my case, they cannot. Unless I put into words the complex truth of how I arrived here, what I do may not make sense. I swallowed that truth and hid it for a long time, but I can no longer ignore it. In the classical music world, which often prizes legacy, polish, and pedigree, being recognized as a whole person—artist, survivor, self-made, creator, and innovator—has been a quiet battle. And yet, it is that very invisibility that fuels my work. It pushes me to create spaces where others are seen, heard, and valued—not despite their differences, but because of them.
What are some interesting facts about yourself?
Much of it is woven throughout my story above—my unconventional path, the risks I took to stay in this country, and how I’ve blended journalism, music, and storytelling into everything I do. But if I had to sum it up: my life has never followed a script—or any supposed protocol or predetermined path. Every step has been shaped by necessity, resilience, and an unwavering belief that art—especially music—must reflect the full complexity of our lived experience. My career has never been about fitting in; it has always been about carving out my own space, where one didn't exist before.
I didn’t follow a linear path—because I couldn’t. I taught myself English. For years, I lived without a country to return to—stateless in every sense —until I finally gained citizenship in the United States. After decades of feeling like I never fully belonged anywhere, I found a sense of place I had never known before. I’m a classically trained pianist who once drove a U-Haul from Florida to New York with everything I owned, not knowing how I’d survive—but knowing I had to try. A college broadcasting class was the first place I felt truly seen, beyond my accent. That mic, paired with my lifelong relationship with music, eventually became the foundation forThe Piano Pod.
These aren’t just facts. They’re fragments of a journey that continues to shape how I perform, teach, create, and connect through music.
Did you always want to be in the arts, or did you have another path before you got here?
Music came first—it was my earliest pursuit, my first language, and the deepest part of who I am. I completed a pre-college program in piano performance before attending college in the U.S. Although I briefly paused my music studies to pursue journalism—imagining a future as a journalist—music never let go of me. Even while navigating a new language, culture, and country, music remained the most intuitive and truthful way I could express myself. That constant presence has shaped every step of my life and career, grounding me in moments of uncertainty and giving me a voice when words fell short.
Do you have any side projects you’d like to highlight?
Along with the podcast, I’m developing educational playlists, free digital resources, and organizingThe Piano Pod’s first in-person live concert and panel event. I’ve also launched a Substack blog where I share behind-the-scenes reflections and personal essays—an intimate space where I unpack the deeper themes from each episode and tell my own story more freely. While these posts are available exclusively to VIP subscribers, they’ve become a meaningful way for me to process, reflect, and connect. Now, it’s time to devote myself more intentionally to my own story, for a future project I can’t reveal just yet.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?
You don’t need to wait for a seat at the table. Build your own. And trust—your story is not a burden; it’s your superpower.
Where did you study?
I earned my post-graduate degree from NYU. Studying with Eduardus Halim, a Steinway Artist and “the last pupil of Vladimir Horowitz,” was a truly formative experience. Years later, I had the privilege of interviewing him onThe Piano Pod (Season 3), where he opened up about his mentorship with Horowitz, sharing rare and intimate reflections that revealed how deeply the lineage of pianism shapes who we are as artists.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Creating a platform and community from nothing, whether through my piano studio (now based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) orThe Piano Pod. I carved out my path and life, creating space for myself, by myself, with the help of the community I built along the way. What began with quiet determination has grown into spaces where musicians, students, and creators can learn, feel seen, connected, and empowered.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love building bridges—between artists and audiences, between generations, between tradition and innovation. I also embrace the gray areas in between: the contradictions, complexities, and tensions that make art—and people—real. I am drawn to nuance, where there’s never just one answer, but many truths coexisting. That’s where the most meaningful work happens.
Tell us a little bit about your podcast, The Piano Pod!
One of the reasons I createdThe Piano Pod is rooted in deep curiosity. I’ve always wondered: what makes one promising pianist become a truly unforgettable artist? Many of us start the same way—weekly lessons, encouragement, and a deep connection to music. But somewhere along the way, each path diverges. I want to understand that moment—the tipping point.
I’m also fascinated by the why. Why do certain artists endure the demands of a musical life when so many of their peers move on? Is it talent, resilience, timing, or something else? And how do identity, culture, and life experience shape an artist’s mission and voice?
That’s whatThe Piano Pod is ultimately about: the stories behind the music, the people behind the careers, and the human truths that fuel creative lives. Past guests have included trailblazing voices such as Yamaha Artist Artina McCain, Raga-Jazz Pioneer Charu Suri, boundary-pushing pedagogue Graham Fitch, and Moving Classics TV founder Anna Heller, each offering unique insights into the lived experience of classical musicians today.
Since 2020,The Piano Pod has been a biweekly podcast and YouTube show that delves into the stories and philosophies of classical music’s most compelling figures. From world-renowned pianists to educators, composers, and entrepreneurs, we spotlight the movers and shakers redefining what classical music means today. Our mission is to bridge the gap between classical musicians and modern audiences through engaging and authentic conversations.
The show began as a lifeline during the pandemic, sparked by a question I’ve carried with me since 2007:“How can we present the beautiful tradition of classical music to a 21st-century audience in an engaging, contemporary way?”
That question evolved intoThe Piano Pod—a space to explore how classical music can evolve, connect, and inspire. Since then, the show has grown steadily through years of passion, consistency, and deep devotion to its mission. Throughout five remarkable seasons,The Piano Pod has become a global platform and community centered on meaningful, human-centered conversations about music, identity, and creativity. Former guest Donna Weng Friedman, an acclaimed pianist, educator, and creator of theNever Fade Away project, described it as“a beacon for anyone passionate about the piano and the future of classical music.”
ButThe Piano Pod is more than a podcast. It is now expanding intolive events and new initiatives that bring musicians and audiences together in fresh and exciting ways. Our first in-person event,The Piano Pod: Live in Concert, will take place in October 2025 at The New School in New York City, in collaboration with the Mannes School of Music. From collaborative panels to performance showcases, this and future events will continue transforming the podcast into a global hub for classical music innovation.
The current season, Season 5, started with a bang, featuring Dr. Sara Davis Buechner, a pioneering concert pianist and outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in the classical music world. This season, we are exploring the themes of authenticity and joy, delving into what it means to live and create authentically as artists in today’s world.
Season 5 will wrap up with a special collaboration with Juneteenth LP, an organization dedicated to celebrating the artistry and legacy of Black musicians. I had the honor of interviewing Juneteenth LP’s founder, Dr. Nnenna Ogwo, in a previous season, and we are now joining forces for a June 2025 feature highlighting exceptional Black artists to celebrate Juneteenth Month. This collaboration is significant as it brings together powerful stories, performances, and conversations that reflect the very essence of what Season 5 stands for. After a brief summer hiatus,The Piano Pod will return for Season 6 with a new theme to be announced, continuing our mission to evolve, connect, and inspire through music, storytelling, and shared experiences.
Since so many of us spent a lot of time isolated during the pandemic, how has that experience specifically changed your creative or preparation process or your outlook on life?
When I face challenges, that's when I thrive the most. During the months of isolation, I was able to turn inward and learn more about myself than I ever had before. I grew, improved, and focused on reinventing myself, reconnecting with my core self. That period sparked a profound transformation—my life has shifted dramatically since then. Today, I spend most of my time focusing onThe Piano Pod and the many creative projects that have stemmed from it. My creativity has flourished. But perhaps most importantly, I came to recognize something I had never fully embraced before: I am unique, strong, resilient, and deeply creative—and I now lead from that place.
What inspires you?
The quiet kind of courage. Artists who show up, especially when no one claps. People who create beauty from brokenness.
If you could name one point in time when everything changed for you, what was it?
Sorry—I know it’s supposed to be one, but I must pick three! Three moments completely changed the trajectory of my life and career: the death of my mother during college, which forced me to create a sustainable yet creative life alone in a new country; the day I drove a U-Haul trailer from Florida to New York with no safety net, a leap that led me to discover my full potential and a community I now deeply cherish; and the year 2020, when the world stood still and my creative life bloomed. Each of these turning points pushed me toward greater clarity, resilience, and purpose, and continues to shape everything I do today.
Do you have any organizations or non-profits you work with you’d like to highlight?
I collaborated with organizations such asKeys 2 Success andthe Art Song Preservation Society ofNew York, which are deeply committed to arts advocacy, music access, equity, and education.
To find out more on Yukimi Song, please visit her at:
Website: www.thepianopod.com and www.yukimisongstudio.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ThePianoPod
Audio Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio
Instagram: @thepianopod
Facebook: The Piano Pod
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