Biography

Tillett Artist Yuzhang Li is a UK-based Chinese pianist whose artistry has gained attention on the international stage. A semi-finalist in the prestigious 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition and a medallist at the 2022 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Yuzhang’s performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Her interpretation of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra earned high praise from Maestro Lang-Lang and was hailed by Shenzhen News as “a performance of remarkable composure and maturity, far exceeding our expectations.”

Yuzhang’s journey as a pianist began at an early age. By 14, she had already performed Rachmaninov's Etudes-Tableaux in her first full recital, showcasing a deep musicality beyond her years. Now performing extensively across Europe and Asia, she has appeared in celebrated venues including Wigmore Hall, King’s Place, Steinway Hall, and the Royal Academy of Music in the UK; Bechstein KONZERTFLÜGEL in Germany; Yongsan Concert Hall in South Korea; and major concert halls throughout China, such as Central Conservatory, Sichuan Conservatory, Shenzhen Concert Hall, and HUAFA Performance Theatre.

Her exceptional talent has been appreciated with numerous accolades, such as winning the first prize at the Futian Cup Piano Competition and top honours at the Steinway Piano Competition (2019) and the Grotrian International Piano Competition (2017), as well as receiving the Special Performance Award at the Wiesbaden International Piano Competition (2016).

Yuzhang has also been acknowledged for her other endeavours beyond the stage. In 2019, she received the China National Scholarship at the Central Conservatory for her excellence in both performance and academics. She was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where she was named an ABRSM Scholar. In 2023, Yuzhang’s artistic maturity was further recognised as she received her new identity as a Tillett Artist.

Yuzhang's studies have been shaped by some of the world’s leading pedagogues and institutions. Admitted with top marks to the Central Conservatory of Music in 2017, she studied under Professors Danwen Wei and Jiajia Shi, graduating at the top of her class. She later studied with Professor Ian Fountain at the Royal Academy of Music, where she graduated with distinction in performance, and is now pursuing her PhD under the supervision of Professor Roderick Chadwick.