Biography
Pianist Sonny Yoo is rapidly gaining recognition for the uncommon versatility of his musical projects as well as the depth and excellence he brings to each area of his work. Winner of the University of Georgia Concerto Competition, he recently performed Brahms's monumental Second Concerto with the UGA Symphony Orchestra. Other recent solo highlights include a showcase at Steinway Hall in New York City performing 20th-century piano etudes from Debussy to Lowell Liebermann.
As a chamber musician, Sonny is a member of the Aurora Piano Quartet. The dedicated ensemble has performed multiple recitals and participated in the 2019 Chamber Music Athens Festival where the group worked with members of the Jupiter String Quartet, acclaimed pianist Peter Frankl (Yale), and virtuoso violinist Soovin Kim (New England Conservatory).
Sonny is also in demand as a collaborative pianist. In June 2019, he received a major scholarship to attend the Songfest festival at The Colburn School in Los Angeles where he worked with many notable artists including conductor James Conlon, mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, pianist Graham Johnson, and composers Jake Heggie and John Musto. Sonny is currently the sole teaching assistant at the UGA Opera Center working on all opera productions, playing annual opera scenes concerts, benefits, and classes, as well as numerous art song recitals. He also performs with many accomplished instrumentalists including his duo partner, the recording artist Amaro Dubois (viola). Additionally, Sonny has extensive experience accompanying choirs. During a gap year in his studies, he worked as a pianist for the professional Cleveland Chamber Choir, while enjoying various concert and collaborative engagements.
Sonny's work as a pianist is also informed by his early composition studies. He has frequently performed his own piano compositions and enjoys writing his own Cadenzas for Mozart Concerti. His solo repertoire features numerous contemporary works, and he has performed as a member of new music ensembles during his time in Kent State University. He was invited to the 2018 edition of American Liszt Society festival to participate in the performance of complete piano etudes by Maurice Ohana.
Sonny has also performed as a soloist with the Stow Symphony Orchestra, playing the complete Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, and the concert is to be reprised on May. He was invited to the Brevard Music Festival in 2018, and has been the recipient of scholarships and awards from institutions and competitions alike, such as the GMTA Annual Piano Competition. He is currently a DMA candidate and graduate assistant at UGA studying with Dr. Liza Stepanova and is an Piano Artist Affiliate at Emory University.
