If you are a classical pianist or a fan of classical piano and classical music in general, then you will know of Bruce Liu and Charles Richard-Hamelin. This is the man who taught them both.Meet Richard Raymond, long-time virtuoso pianist, Cliburn award-winner, judge of the Toronto International Piano Competition, and professor of piano.Join Amos Vang on this exclusive 2-hour episode as he features Richard's career, his experiences in teaching Bruce Liu and Charles Richard-Hamelin, the importance of honesty, integrity, and respect in media reporting of classical musicians and classical competitions, Richard's experience with musicality, and more!NOTICE: Apologies for the audio issues in this episode: Amos's audio interface experienced total equipment failure, forcing him to use a new audio interface with little time to calibrate and optimize in time for the interview with Richard.Music by Amos Vang-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Richard Raymond joins the show!0:18 – What inspired Richard Raymond to pursue piano?2:55 – What were the early challenges that Richard Raymond faced in his piano career?5:13 – What were the most important lessons that Richard Raymond learned from his early days learning piano?10:27 – What inspired Richard Raymond to pursue post-secondary studies in piano performance?16:18 – Music and the arts have one advantage over most professions: PASSION.37:27 – What inspired Richard Raymond to compete at the Cliburn?40:45 – Honesty, respect, integrity, and dignity in the media56:17 – Richard Raymond taught Bruce Liu and Charles Richard-Hamelin!1:03:13 – Enhancing the musical styles of Bruce Liu and Charles Richard-Hamelin1:13:11 – What is musicality to Richard Raymond?1:22:22 – Richard Raymond explains the link between cartoons and musicality1:23:50 – Richard Raymond was a judge of the Toronto International Piano Competition1:24:56 – How did Richard Raymond’s judging address the unique age ranges of the Toronto International Piano Competition? What did Richard Raymond look for in each competitor?1:39:12 – What are the greatest misconceptions of classical music that Richard Raymond has faced in his career?1:42:08 – How to fix classical music conceptions? Amos Vang and Richard Raymond share ideas1:56:52 – Amos Vang explains multidisciplinarity in introducing classical music to new audiences2:01:30 – What is Richard Raymond’s advice to those who want to pursue a career in classical piano?#chopin #chopincompetition#cliburn#cliburncompetition#vancliburn#piano#bruceliu#charlesrichardhamelin#fialkowska#virtuosity#classicalmusic#torontointernationalpianocompetition

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 MichelleLau learned from her early days learning piano?

14:49 – What inspired Michelle Lau to pursue a Bachelor andMaster 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 someof 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 theToronto Kiwanis Festival and the Ontario Music Festival Association Finals?!

41:40 – Amos Vang on moving away from being a classicalpianist to becoming a lawyer

46:15 – What is musicality to Michelle Lau?

48:32 – What are the most important lessons that MichelleLau 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: MichelleLau’s involvement!

55:50 – What are the unique aspects of the TorontoInternational Piano Competition?

59:34 – How will the competitors be featured at the TorontoInternational Piano Competition?

1:00:47 – The jury has some young jury members!

1:05:11 – Where can people watch/listen to the TorontoInternational Piano Competition?

1:06:00 – What are the greatest misconceptions that peoplehave expressed to Michelle Lau about classical music?

1:08:33 – Classical music heavily influential in rock,metal, and other styles of music! Masterof Puppets, anyone?

1:10:08 – What is Michelle Lau’s advice to those who want topursue 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!