Dr. Yi-Ju Lai is an award-winning pianist, accomplished teacher, and passionate musical artist. She has enchanted audiences worldwide through radio broadcasts and live performances at numerous venues, including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and at the National Chiang Kai Shek Cultural Center in her home country of Taiwan.
Yi-Ju earned her Bachelor of Music and Artist Diploma from the Colburn Conservatory of Music, and obtained her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. Starting with guidance from the esteemed John Perry, she went on to study under distinguished pianists such as Jeffrey Kahane, Kevin Fitz-Gerald, and Norman Krieger. She enjoys collaborating with other gifted musicians and has performed with top artists such as Anne Akiko-Meyers, Daniel Hope, Ronald Leonard, and Paul Coletti.
In addition to being a performer, Yi-Ju is highly committed to excellence in piano education. Besides maintaining a private piano studio in Los Angeles, Yi-Ju is on piano faculty at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and a staff pianist at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she uses her skill and experience in collaborating with aspiring musicians. In recognition of her dedication to teaching, she was selected as one of Steinway’s top piano teachers in 2022, and other honors include: Pi Kappa Lambda membership, student fellowship from the Montecito Summer Music Festival, teaching fellowship from the Colburn School, and first prize in several piano competitions.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her small family of three and their goldendoodle, Koda. She also enjoys reading, walking, watching movies, and gathering with friends.
