Ruyun Yang – FIRST PRIZE with Special Mention, PERCUSSION
Ruyun (Irene) Yang began her musical training at age seven and started percussion at nine. She graduated from the Affiliated Music High School of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music under Professor Yifei Zhai and later continued her studies at the Eastman School of Music in the United States, working with Michael Burritt, Charles Ross, Rich Thompson, and Mark Hodges. She has also taken lessons with renowned percussionists including Martin Grubinger, Christoph Sietzen, Bogdan Bacanu, Leigh Stevens, Philippe Spiesser, Jake Nissly, Ivan Trevino, Kai Strobel, Eriko Daimo, and Jihye Jung.
She has performed internationally and collaborated with leading percussion artists. Highlights include performing Drumming with Russell Hartenberger of the original Steve Reich and Musicians, as well as solo appearances at the International Summer Academy Mozarteum. As a member of the Eastman Percussion Ensemble, she performed at the 2022 Indianapolis PASIC Showcase and the 2024 Chicago Midwest Clinic.
She has appeared widely as a guest percussionist with professional orchestras in China, with additional solo and ensemble performances across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Singapore.