This is the Legend Of...

As the 2026 Toronto International Piano Competition approaches, it's time to open the score on one of its team members! Join Amos Vang as he features Michelle Lau, a pianist, educator, and social media manager of the Toronto International Piano Competition ⁠ @TorontoPianoCompetition ⁠ ! In this episode, Amos and Michelle discuss Michelle's career and pathway from performing pianist to the creation of "The Open Score". Amos and Michelle also discuss the early YouTube days, as well as what to expect from the Toronto International Piano Competition! Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Other music by Amos Vang
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
3:27 – What inspired Michelle Lau to pursue piano?
6:11 – Toronto’s music culture
8:20 – Balancing school and classical music as a kid
11:28 – What were the most important lessons that Michelle Lau learned from her early days learning piano?
14:49 – What inspired Michelle Lau to pursue a Bachelor and Master of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Western Ontario?
17:58 – Dealing with injury as a musician
23:25 – Michelle Lau also dealt with injury as a pianist.
25:11 – Michelle Lau’s teachers
28:27 – What inspired Michelle Lau to create The Open Score? THE OG YOUTUBERS!
30:16 – Wong Fu Productions, Ryan Higa, and Smosh were some of Amos Vang and Michelle Lau’s favourite YouTubers!
31:54 – The Open Score’s collaborations with Henle, Soundbrenner, and Tonebase
39:55 – Michelle Lau is a piano festival adjudicator for the Toronto Kiwanis Festival and the Ontario Music Festival Association Finals?!
41:40 – Amos Vang on moving away from being a classical pianist to becoming a lawyer
46:15 – What is musicality to Michelle Lau?
48:32 – What are the most important lessons that Michelle Lau has learned in her career?
50:29 – Never be arrogant.  It is a big problem, especially in some professions such as law.
52:06 – Toronto International Piano Competition: Michelle Lau’s involvement!
55:50 – What are the unique aspects of the Toronto International Piano Competition?
59:34 – How will the competitors be featured at the Toronto International Piano Competition?
1:00:47 – The jury has some young jury members!
1:05:11 – Where can people watch/listen to the Toronto International Piano Competition?
1:06:00 – What are the greatest misconceptions that people have expressed to Michelle Lau about classical music?
1:08:33 – Classical music heavily influential in rock, metal, and other styles of music!  Master of Puppets, anyone?
1:10:08 – What is Michelle Lau’s advice to those who want to pursue a career in classical music?
1:11:15 – What would Michelle Lau like to say to her fans?

If you are a classical pianist, then you will know who he is.
That's right.  Ben Laude, host of Chopin Talk at the Olympics/World Cup of Piano, the 2025 International Chopin Competition, joins the show!
Join Amos Vang as he and Ben reminisce on Ben's career, journey through academia, and journey to becoming one of the most recognizable online personalities in the YouTube piano space.
More importantly, Amos and Ben discuss various ideas and concepts for the future of classical piano competitions and careers that you'll hear for the first time right here!
 
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Other music by Amos Vang
 
#benlaude #chopin #chopincompetition #chopinpiano #cliburn #vancliburn #fialkowska #piano #rubinstein #fialkowska 
-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:04 – What inspired Ben Laude to pursue piano?4:53 – What was the classical music culture like in Ben Laude’s community back in the day?8:40 – Ben Laude almost LOST his passion for classical music at a young age?!  The Internet saved it!10:56 – What were the greatest challenges that Ben Laude faced when learning piano early on?15:45 – Practice makes…INJURIES?!17:23 – Chopin on practicing piano20:00 – Most International Chopin Competition contestants may have grown up in musical families or well-structured state music systems22:28 – Nicolas Namoradze’s research on music performance and sports performance24:37 – Audition success, figure skating, gymnastics, and piano performance31:46 – Lebron James looks at basketball differently.  Is that how Martha Argerich looks at piano differently?33:21 – Eye movement in sports and in music36:22 – The top Chopin Competition prize winners don’t look the same, but they LOOK the same!38:38 – What inspired Ben Laude to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Rice University?44:27 – Somehow, Canada has been producing more great pianists per capita compared to the U.S.  Yet, few Canadians know about these great Canadian pianists!45:27 – Canada and the USSR are the only 2 countries that have at least 3 medallists in consecutive International Chopin Competition editions!55:11 – The classical musical scene is still very insular.  That contributed to Ben Laude’s YouTube rise!57:50 – Amos Vang describes using sports terminology to promote classical music!1:05:10 – Ben Laude analyzes and critiques the current classical music career landscape1:10:28 – Can the sports exhibition match model become a good inspiration for classical music showcases?1:13:25 – Amos Vang was an announcer of the 2016 NBA All-Star Challenge in Canada.  Dunk contests and classical music showcases?1:19:17 – Sports viewed negatively in the classical music world?1:24:37 – HERE’S A FIRST: Ben Laude proposes his OWN PIANO COMPETITION FORMAT!1:28:51 – How do you tell a story, in classical music?1:39:37 – Visual storytelling in classical piano competitions1:43:24 – Amos Vang, as a classical pianist AND sports announcer, explains how Ben Laude’s visual storytelling ideas are ALREADY DONE IN SPORTS BROADCASTING!1:56:10 – What is musicality to Ben Laude?2:02:13 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Ben Laude?2:17:22 – Classical music may actually have a broader, more diverse emotional spectrum than most genres2:23:38 – It’s ok to miss out on things.  Embrace the JOY of missing out (JOMO)!2:27:23 – What are the most rewarding things that Ben Laude has experienced in his career?2:29:56 – Ben Laude addresses his fans and gives some professional advice on classical music careers!

She is the first Canadian in 25 years to win 1st prize at the Honens International Piano Competition!
 
This is the Legend of Elisabeth Pion.
 
Join Amos Vang as he features the career of Elisabeth Pion, from studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (the same school that trained other talents such as Daniel Craig, Hayley Atwell, Ewan MacGregor, and Damian Lewis) to performing piano and to winning the Canadian Grand Slam of Piano.
 
Elisabeth’s website: https://www.elisabethpion.com/
 
#honens #cliburn #elisabethpion #angelahewitt #verbier #chopincompetition #classicfm #neuroscience #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusic
 
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Other music by Amos Vang
 
Dirk Ingo Franke, “Guildhall School of Music and Drama”, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
2:35 – What inspired Elisabeth Pion to pursue piano?
8:18 – Elisabeth Pion describes Quebec’s music culture!
13:23 – Who is Elisabeth Pion’s greatest philosophical and literary influences?
19:34 – What were the most important lessons that Elisabeth Pion learned from her early childhood?
24:39 – Elisabeth Pion studied at the Guildhall School of Music Drama!
31:33 – Amos Vang explains the Frutiger Aero aesthetic!
34:29 – Improvisation is terrifying for many classical musicians?!
36:44 – What were the most surprising musical schools of thought that Elisabeth Pion has learned?
41:43 – What inspired Elisabeth Pion to “Hone In on Honens”?
45:55 – Elisabeth Pion won 1st prize at Honens!
48:19 – How did Elisabeth Pion prepare for Honens?
55:10 – How did Elisabeth Pion interpret Fracture by Iman Habibi?
58:52 – What are Elisabeth Pion’s favourite moments at Honens?
1:00:51 – What is musicality to Elisabeth Pion?
1:06:40 – What is the Complete Artist to Elisabeth Pion?
1:11:03 – What are the greatest misconceptions of classical music that Elisabeth Pion has faced?
1:22:38 – What are the most rewarding aspects of Elisabeth Pion’s career?
1:31:15 – Elisabeth Pion addresses her fans!
 

He was a finalist at the Olympics of Piano, the International Chopin Competition.  He also won the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition.  He also won major awards at the Leeds International Piano Competition and the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition.  He is also a Visiting Artist at MIT.
 And now, he is Artistic Director of a new Grand Slam of piano, the Toronto International Piano Competition, which takes place on August 14 to 16, 2026.
 Join Amos Vang as he features the career of Aljosa Jurinic.  Amos and Aljosa discuss Aljosa’s Road to Warsaw, development as a pianist, and the most important lessons that Aljosa has learned from each milestone in his career.
 More importantly, Amos and Aljosa discuss the Toronto International Piano Competition, including its competition structure, prizes, career potential, and repertoire.  Amos Vang and “This is the Legend Of…” are proud to be collaborating with Aljosa and with the Toronto International Piano Competition in promoting and featuring the world’s best pianists in Canada’s largest city.
 Aljosa’s Instagram and YouTube: @aljosapiano Aljosa’s website: https://www.aljosa-jurinic.com/ Toronto International Piano Competition: https://www.torontopiano.org/ Toronto International Piano Competition’s Instagram: @torontopianocomp
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au  Other music by Amos Vang
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
2:50 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to pursue piano?
4:01 – What was the music culture in Croatia during Aljosa Jurinic’s early days?
6:17 – What were the most impactful early musical influences in Aljosa Jurinic’s life?
7:31 – What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic learned in his early life?
10:47 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to pursue a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music at the University of Zagreb?
13:06 – How was the transition from pre-university to post-university in terms of Aljosa Jurinic’s music studies?
14:29 – What were the greatest challenges that Aljosa Jurinic faced learning music during his university years?
17:26 – Canada, especially Ontario, has faced devastating funding cuts to music education in public school systems.  This affects music culture in Canada.
19:46 – Building an audience
20:57 – Almost everyone in Poland knows who Chopin is!
21:34 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to compete in the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition?
24:58 – Aljosa Jurinic WON the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition!
27:49 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to embark on the Road to Warsaw?
37:31 – What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic leaned from the International Chopin Competition?
43:21 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to compete at the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition and the Leeds International Piano Competition?  What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic learned from these competitions?
49:31 – What is musicality to Aljosa Jurinic?
53:07 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Aljosa Jurinic?
55:54 – TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION, why Toronto?
1:03:00 – How strong is Toronto’s potential for the growth of a 21st century classical music audience?
1:07:49 – How does the Toronto International Piano Competition disprove misconceptions of classical music?
1:10:18 – How does the Alink-Argerich Foundation support the Toronto International Piano Competition?
1:12:16 – COMPETITION STRUCTURE of the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
1:14:25 – Why does Fryderyk Chopin have a special designation at the Toronto International Piano Competition?
1:15:24 – JURY of the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
1:20:15 – What makes the Toronto International Piano Competition unique from other major piano competitions?
1:23:23 – CATEGORIES of the TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
1:25:24 – What if there is a tie at the Toronto International Piano Competition?
1:30:45 – Where can people watch, listen to, and follow the Toronto International Piano Competition?
1:32:11 – Aljosa Jurinic addresses his fans and gives advice on the pursuit of a classical piano career!

In 2025, he competed in 3 Grand Slams of piano.
In May of 2025, he won 1st prize at the Dublin International Piano Competition.
5 days after winning Dublin, he competed and became a finalist at the Cliburn International Piano Competition by June of 2025.  He accomplished this despite suffering from an injured right arm!
4 months later, in October of 2025, he won 2nd prize at the Honens International Piano Competition.
Meet Carter Johnson.  From his roots in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada, to his journey on numerous competitions over the years, Carter has become a legendary pianist.  Join Amos Vang and Carter Johnson as they discuss Carter’s preparation and mindset for the world’s most renowned piano competitions, the essence of musicality, the importance of adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and the importance of music and arts education in Canadian youth.
 
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Other music by Amos Vang
 
#honens #cliburn #carterjohnson #neurorecital #verbier #chopincompetition #classicfm #neuroscience #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusic
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
3:19 – What inspired Carter Johnson to pursue piano?  How has the music culture on Vancouver Island influenced Carter Johnson?
4:08 – What were the most important lessons that Carter Johnson learned from Shelley Roberts, his teacher?
5:30 – The importance of teaching and learning
9:15 – Carter Johnson studied music at the University of British Columbia
15:46 – Carter Johnson on Schubert and his lieder
16:45 – Music requires well-roundedness
18:40 – Carter Johnson pursued a Master of Music at Juilliard and a Doctor of Musical Arts at Yale School of Music
19:52 – Carter Johnson performed, and STILL PERFORMS, with Angela Hewitt!!!
24:15 – What were the most important lessons that Carter Johnson learned from Angela Hewitt?
29:13 – What inspired Carter Johnson to compete in the Dublin International Piano Competition?
30:41 – Carter Johnson’s road to winning 1st prize at the 2025 Dublin International Piano Competition
35:39 – The 2025 Van Cliburn Competition took place just 5 DAYS AFTER CARTER JOHNSON WON DUBLIN!
38:13 – Carter Johnson explains the importance of maintaining a good COMPETITION MINDSET!
46:41 – The situation that pianists face with competitions and careers
50:19 – Carter Johnson’s competed at the Cliburn…WITH AN INJURED ARM??!!!
57:54 – What were the most important lessons that Carter Johnson learned from the Cliburn?
1:02:12 – What inspired Carter Johnson to “Hone In on Honens”?
1:04:13 – To what extent had Carter Johnson’s experiences at Dublin and at the Cliburn influence his strategy at Honens?
1:05:59 – Carter Johnson’s approach to “Fracture” by Iman Habibi
1:11:06 – Carter Johnson’s journey through Honens
1:14:54 – What is musicality to Carter Johnson?
1:17:04 – What is the Complete Artist to Carter Johnson?
1:18:45 – What are the greatest misconceptions that Carter Johnson has heard from other people about classical music?
1:24:14 – What’s the point of learning music?
1:31:39 – What are the most rewarding aspects of Carter Johnson’s career?  What are the most important lessons that Carter Johnson has learned from his career?
1:33:18 – What’s next for Carter Johnson?
1:33:53 – Carter Johnson’s advice for aspiring classical musicians, and remarks towards his fans!

At age 16, he became a major prize winner at the Olympics of Piano, the International Chopin Competition.  To this day, he holds the record as the youngest prize winner in the competition’s history.
The great Martha Argerich enjoyed his performance and saw him as one of the next great pianists.
This is the Legend of Tony Yike Yang.
On Fryderyk Chopin’s birthday, join Amos Vang and Tony Yike Yang as the two pianists reminisce on Tony’s successful Road to Warsaw, his experience meeting Martha Argerich, the lessons that he has learned from his career, and the most important lessons that he has learned in his career.
Tony’s website: https://www.tonyyikeyang.com/
Tony’s Instagram: @tonyyikeyang
 
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Golden Hour by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Other music by Amos Vang and by Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin.
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
4:30 – What inspired Tony Yike Yang to pursue piano?
6:27 – Who and what were Tony Yike Yang’s musical influences?
11:07 – Tony Yike Yang studied at the Taylor Academy and at Juilliard Pre-College
15:25 – What are the similarities and differences between Taylor Academy and Juilliard Pre-College?
20:57 – Music and sports have one thing in common: community and marquee events are important!
26:24 – Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony are the most important musical focal points for Tony Yike Yang!
30:55 – What inspired Tony Yike Yang to embark on the Road to Warsaw?
34:10 – The 2010 International Chopin Competition was a HIGHLY impressive year!  It set the tone for future International Chopin Competitions!
38:44 – Tony Yike Yang at the 2014 Canadian Chopin Competition!
50:56 – Tony Yike Yang at the 2015 International Chopin Competition!
55:04 – What was Tony Yike Yang feeling and thinking at the 2015 International Chopin Competition?
55:52 – Will Martha Argerich still like me?
1:02:48 – Tony Yike Yang became the YOUNGEST PRIZE WINNER in the history of the International Chopin Competition!
1:07:10 – Dang Thai Son did not think Tony Yike Yang would make the finals! Tony proved him wrong!
1:08:23 – What were Tony Yike Yang’s favorite moments at the 2015 International Chopin Competition? Spoiler: FOOD!
1:16:31 – Tony Yike Yang performed at Zelazowa Wola, Chopin’s birthplace!
1:17:54 – What were the most important lessons that Tony Yike Yang learned from the 2015 International Chopin Competition?
1:25:58 – Chopin and post-2020
1:29:23 – Tony Yike Yang competed at the Cliburn Competition
1:31:49 – The scrutiny at the Chopin Competition is extremely high!
1:40:02 – What is musicality to Tony Yike Yang?
1:47:09 – Tony Yike Yang and Amos Vang explain the greatest misconceptions that he has experienced about classical music and piano?
1:47:39 – Amos Vang explains the misconceptions that classical music face in Canada, from a personal and wider societal standpoint
1:52:26 – Tony Yike Yang explains the situation that classical music faces in the world, from a personal and wider societal standpoint
1:55:08 – Many people prefer to numb themselves with loud, boisterous music rather than confront their feelings in an honest way
2:05:37 – What are the most rewarding things and most important lessons that Tony Yike Yang has experienced and learned in his career?
2:10:01 – Tony Yike Yang addresses his fans and gives some career advice for classical music!
 
#chopin #chopincompetition #chopin2025 #cliburn #cliburncompetition #vancliburn #tonyyikeyang #piano #janinafialkowska #virtuosity #classicalmusic

She almost gave up a piano performing career for med school.  Instead, she persisted and won 3rd prize at the Canadian Grand Slam of piano, the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition.  This is the Legend of Anastasia Vorotnaya.
 From studying at the Moscow State Conservatory at age 8, to winning her first international piano competition at age 15, to moving to Madrid at age 17 with no initial fluency of Spanish, Anastasia honed in on her pianistic performance in a life and career of triumphs and trials.  Join Amos Vang and Anastasia Vorotnaya as Anastasia “Hones In on Honens”, describes musicality, and the most important lessons that she has learned in her career.
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Golden Hour by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
#honens #honens2025 #neurorecital #verbier #chopincompetition #anastasiavorotnaya #classicfm #neuroscience #cliburn #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusic
-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction4:20 – What inspired Anastasia Vorotnaya to pursue piano?7:36 – At age 8, Anastasia Vorotnaya and her mom moved to Moscow to study at the Moscow State Conservatory14:14 – What were the most important lessons that Anastasia Vorotnaya learned from all of her teachers at the Moscow State Conservatory?19:35 – The difficult balance between tradition and creativity in competitions23:29 – Is it possible to have a Chopin Urtext?26:12 – At age 15, Anastasia Vorotnaya won the Concertino Praga Competition.  What was that experience like for her?28:40 – Anastasia Vorotnaya actually stopped performing for a while in order to focus on her studies!29:20 – At age 17, Anastasia Vorotnaya moved to Madrid, Spain, on her own, without speaking one word of English or Spanish.  How did she survive?31:51 – Anastasia Vorotnaya completed her Bachelor and Master of Music in Spain.  What were the most important lessons that she learned from her university years?33:09 – Sound projection in piano performance in large concert halls36:55 – Mozart and Bach are fundamental composers to learn in the classical music tradition!44:45 – Anastasia Vorotnaya studied under Stanislav Ioudenitch in the U.S. What was that experience like for her?48:42 – Anastasia Vorotnaya’s experience performing with Sir Andras Schiff50:30 – Anastasia Vorotnaya almost gave up on music to go to med school?!1:02:47 – Social media and classical pianists1:06:23 –What inspired Anastasia Vorotnaya to Hone In on Honens?1:13:41 – How did Anastasia Vorotnaya learn and interpret “Fracture”?1:20:04 – What is musicality to Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:21:51 – What is the Complete Artist to Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:24:18 – What are the greatest misconceptions of music that other people have expressed to Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:32:21 – What are the most rewarding things and most important lessons that Anastasia Vorotnaya has experienced and learned in her career?1:35:03 – What’s next for Anastasia Vorotnaya?1:35:39 – What advice does Anastasia Vorotnaya have for those who want to pursue a career in classical music?1:37:45 – Anastasia Vorotnaya addresses her fans!

She just competed at the 2025 International Chopin Competition.
 
She is also one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Classical Musicians.
 
Meet Victoria Wong, a Canadian classical pianist that is also a prize winner of the Canadian Chopin Competition, Mozarteum Festival Competition, Lancaster International Piano Competition, and Canadian Music Competition.
 
Amos Vang and Victoria Wong discuss Victoria’s Road to Warsaw, both in 2021 and in 2025, as well as her preparation for the Olympics of Piano and the evolution of her musicality.  Victoria also describes her life story, including her early experiences learning piano with Dan Zhaoyi in China and with the Taylor Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada, at Juilliard, and elsewhere.
 
#chopin #chopinpiano #chopin2025 #piano #chopincompetition #argerich #victoriawong #canadianchopinsociety #royalconservatoryofmusic #rcm #chopininstitute #classicalmusic
 
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Golden Hour by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Other music composed by Amos Vang
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
3:47 – What were Victoria Wong’s early musical influences?
4:48 – At age 5, Victoria Wong gave her concerto debut!
6:09 – Victoria Wong studied with Dan Zhaoyi
9:28 – Victoria Wong studied at the Taylor Academy in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM)
15:46 – Victoria likes music theory back in the day.  Amos hated music theory back in the day!
18:53 – What inspired Victoria Wong to pursue a Bachelor of Music at the New England Conservatory?
21:27 – Free time in high school vs. university vs. law school
25:45 – What inspired Victoria Wong to pursue a Master of Music at Juilliard?
26:32 – What are the most important lessons that Victoria Wong learned from her experiences at the Taylor Academy, the NEC, and Juilliard?
33:18 – In Canada and the U.S., music has never really enjoyed the same appeal that sports have enjoyed.
35:24 – In China, EVERYONE learns music!  This is totally opposite from Canada and the U.S.
36:41 – Victoria Wong only spent ONE MONTH PREPARING for the 2014 Canadian Chopin Competition!
40:00 – Victoria Wong’s journey in the Canadian Chopin Competition
41:19 – Victoria Wong’s piano choices at the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions
45:52 – Victoria Wong PULLED HER BACK at the 2025 International Chopin Competition?!
49:12 – New York Steinways vs. Hamburg Steinways
51:46 – Amos Vang and Victoria Wong have both performed Liszt’s Dante Sonata in the past!
52:28 – Victoria Wong recalls her experiences at the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions
55:56 – How did Victoria Wong’s strategy change between the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions?
1:03:24 – The Fryderyk Chopin Institute has done an excellent job marketing the International Chopin Competition to the world!
1:05:46 – What were Victoria’s favorite moments at the 2021 and 2025 International Chopin Competitions?
1:10:54 – Tim Hortons formerly had Chicken Soup in a bread bowl!
1:12:45 – Juilliard used to have a Starbucks, and Victoria Wong shares a life hack with great food at Starbucks?!
1:15:02 – Victoria Wong visited Zelazowa Wola in the past!
1:19:29 – What are the greatest misconceptions that Victoria Wong has seen about classical music?
1:22:23 – What is musicality to Victoria Wong?
1:24:49 – Who is Chopin to Victoria Wong? Hint: Chopin hits differently
1:33:13 – What are the most important lessons that Victoria Wong learned from the International Chopin Competition?
1:36:15 – How can Canada improve its classical music culture?
1:40:01 – Victoria gives advice on pursuing a classical music career, and Victoria speaks to her fans!

He first sang in his church’s children choir.  Then, he sang in the U.S. Army.  Then he was discovered for having the deepest human vocal range, the basso profondo.
He did not even have his first singing lesson until he was 25 years old!
            Oktavists are vocalists who sing in the basso profondo range.  Oktavists are EXTREMELY rare: at one point, there were only 12 in the entire world!  He is one of them.
            Meet Eric Hollaway, aka thatbassvoice, an oktavist, YouTuber with over 726,000 subscribers, and voice actor whose has been featured in numerous films and video games, including the award winning “DOOM Eternal”.
Join Amos Vang and Eric Hollaway as they share Eric’s legendary adventures, from serving in the U.S. Army as a nuclear warhead technician while entertaining and singing in an a cappella group for German audiences, to returning back to the U.S. and being discovered by two music professors for his voice, to learning and training in the different operatic styles and traditions, and to working with the legendary Mick Gordon on providing his voice to “DOOM Eternal’s” unforgettable music. Amos and Eric also discuss musicality, the unique characteristics of the basso profondo range, and the most important lessons that Eric has learned from his career.
 
Eric’s Instagram: @thatbassvoice
Eric’s YouTube channel: @thatbassvoice
 
Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
 
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
4:00 – What inspired Eric Hollaway to pursue music?
8:30 – Eric Hollaway explains his childhood musical community environment!
10:31 – What were the most important lessons that Eric Hollaway learned from his childhood musical community environment?
12:51 – When did Eric Hollaway discover that he could reach the male bass vocal range?
17:13 – Eric Hollaway served in the U.S. Army and was part of an Army a cappella group!
25:07 – Eric Hollaway studied opera in college, competed in bass voice competitions, and received a voice scholarship immediately!
26:58 – Up until age 25, Eric Hollaway NEVER HAD A VOICE LESSON BEFORE!
33:35 – Imperfections are beautiful!
34:04 – How did Eric Hollaway discover that he can reach the basso profondo range?
37:44 – “I found my people”
38:59 – Discovering oktavism and Glenn Miller helped Eric Hollaway discover his true identity in voice!
40:08 – “Eric, come up!”
42:55 – How rare is oktavism and the basso profondo range?
45:52 – What inspired Eric Hollaway to pursue voice acting and singing full time, and to create thatbassvoice?
48:08 – Doom Eternal: Eric Hollaway was in it!  How did Eric Hollaway work with Mick Gordon?
55:22 – Eric Hollaway sings that song from Doom Eternal!
56:55 – What is musicality to Eric Hollaway?
1:06:17 – If Eric Hollaway was immersed heavily into the world of professional music making in his childhood, then he would not have enjoyed music as much as he does now.
1:11:25 – What is the basso profondo?  Is it even possible to train to become an oktavist?
1:19:31 – What are the greatest misconceptions of singing and oktavism that Eric Hollaway has seen?
1:21:24 – One must have vocal training and healthy lifestyle habits, no matter how talented they are!
1:22:55 – Chocolate and bass voices: good or bad?!
1:27:02 – Luciano Pavarotti influenced Eric Hollaway!
1:28:59 – Mario Lanza, Placido Domingo, and Thomas Hampson
1:32:42 – What are the most important lessons that Eric Hollaway has learned from his career?
1:34:50 – What are the most rewarding things that Eric Hollaway has experienced from his career?  What advice would he give to people who want to pursue this career?

She just competed at the Olympics of Piano, the 2025 International Chopin Competition. Athena Deng returns to the show to share her experiences!
Join Amos Vang and Athena Deng as they revisit Athena’s Road to Warsaw, from her performance at the preliminaries to her 1st round performance, as well as her preparation and mindset going into and after the Competition. Athena also shares the most important lessons that she learned from this experience, and the unique emotions she experienced from performing on the greatest stage of piano.
See Athena's first appearance on the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttpWfb1L1Z8
#chopin #chopinpiano #chopin2025 #piano #chopincompetition #argerich #athenadeng #dengsisters #canadianchopinsociety #royalconservatoryofmusic #rcm #chopininstitute #classicalmusic
-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
0:59 – Athena Deng describes her experience at the International Chopin Competition!
1:56 – Athena Deng at the Preliminaries
3:27 – How did Athena Deng prepare for the main International Chopin Competition?
6:03 – Athena Deng balanced a Masters of Music at the New England Conservatory with her preparation for the International Chopin Competition!
11:30 – Pianists have to learn and master massive amounts of music in a matter of weeks or even days!
15:02 – Athena Deng tried to use muscle memory to compete in the 1st round, which did not ultimately work out for her.
18:38 – Athena Deng talks about her experiences hearing different interpretations of the same Chopin repertoire at the Competition!
23:57 – Athena Deng felt like she was floating during her performance of Chopin’s Nocturne in G Major at the International Chopin Competition!
29:33 – Why did Athena Deng select the Yamaha for the prelims and the Kawai for the main rounds of the International Chopin Competition?
35:08 – The Shigeru Kawai piano was the 2nd most popular piano at the 2025 International Chopin Competition!
37:22 – Shigeru Kawai pianos are DIFFERENT from the K. Kawai pianos!  It is good to practice on heavier pianos.
40:06 – What was Athena Deng thinking and feeling when she stepped onto the world stage and performed her 1st round programme at the International Chopin Competition?
45:27 – The competitors were very friendly and excited to be at the Chopin Competition!
46:51 – What were Athena Deng’s favorite experiences in Warsaw?
48:30 – Athena Deng thinks that the Warsaw Philharmonia felt SMALLER than Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada!
54:23 – Pianists must know how to project to the back of the concert hall in their performances!
57:43 – Athena Deng visited Zelazowa Wola, Chopin’s birthplace!
59:51 – Dang Thai Son grew up listening to Chopin in the outdoors!
1:02:54 – Nature and wilderness focused CDs in the 2000s and early 2010s
1:05:28 – What were the most important lessons that Athena Deng has learned from the International Chopin Competition?
1:07:28 – How has the International Chopin Competition changed or help evolve Athena Deng’s understanding of Fryderyk Chopin?
1:11:14 – Justice Rosalie Abella took inspiration from Fryderyk Chopin?!
1:16:35 – Sports announcing and piano have A LOT in common.  Amos Vang, who’s done both, explains why!
1:18:12 – Will Athena Deng compete in the 2030 International Chopin Competition?
1:22:39 – Athena Deng addresses her fans!