In Real Life with Wendy Wang and Yi Liu—"Dualing" Pianists

In a first for In Real Life, this week I’m introducing you to two outstanding individuals at once. Wendy Wang and Yi Liu didn’t know each other before we chatted, but they share a similar background and passion outside of work. Wendy and Yi are both classically trained pianists from a young age and have kept up their practice throughout their lives.??

Incidentally, they are both software engineers as well. Is this a coincidence, or perhaps a neurological bent???

“I find there's a lot of similarity and connection between coding and the piano. Playing piano means pressing down a key on the keyboard, in the right place at the right time—just like coding. And most importantly, you need to put some passion in it. Music has its life, so does code,” Yi said. “And my typing is crazy fast.”??

Both Wendy and Yi practice at least an hour a day to keep their skills sharp. Wendy said she draws a connection between math and music and hopes to perform in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition someday. “Participants are like me who have professions other than piano, but still passionately pursue piano in their life. I want to connect with those types of people, and it gives a long-term goal to work toward,” Wendy said.??

Wendy began her study at age four in China. At 16, she was chosen as an exchange student for a year-long cultural exchange to Massachusetts. Her family didn’t have the funds to support her continuing piano study, but that changed when she received 50% off piano tuition from Cape Cod Conservatory and a grant from Olive Cahoon Classical Piano Scholarship Awards to pursue her future piano study in the US.??

“Remarkably, I had also been donated a piano from John Gage, allowing me to pursue my passion. I simply could not comprehend the generosity of these strangers whom I had never met,” Wendy said.??

Yi said he began playing at age three and trained for ten years—he’s continued playing and practicing for more than 30 years now and is still learning. “Starting a new work project is just like learning a new piece of music: there’s a steep learning curve at the beginning; however, you will get pleasant results if you keep practicing.”??

As a music minor myself, I’ve always been interested in classical music, so I wondered about their favorite pieces to practice and perform.??

“I really like to practice pieces from the Romantic Era. Currently I'm practicing Schumann Piano Concerto Number One,” Wendy said.?

“My favorite piece is called Silver Clouds Chasing in the Moon. It's a classic Chinese song,” Yi told me.?

Their talent and passion for music speaks for itself, and I encourage you to watch this week’s video to see both Wendy and Yi in action.??