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!

She is the first Canadian in 25 years to win 1stprize 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 thattrained other talents such as Daniel Craig, Hayley Atwell, Ewan MacGregor, andDamian Lewis) to performing piano and to winning the Canadian Grand Slam ofPiano.

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 musicby 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 andliterary influences?

19:34 – What were the most important lessons that ElisabethPion learned from her early childhood?

24:39 – Elisabeth Pion studied at the Guildhall School ofMusic Drama!

31:33 – Amos Vang explains the Frutiger Aero aesthetic!

34:29 – Improvisation is terrifying for many classicalmusicians?!

36:44 – What were the most surprising musical schools ofthought 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 ImanHabibi?

58:52 – What are Elisabeth Pion’s favourite moments atHonens?

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 classicalmusic that Elisabeth Pion has faced?

1:22:38 – What are the most rewarding aspects of ElisabethPion’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: @torontopianocompTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other music by Amos Vang

-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction2:50 – 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 audience20:57 – 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 classical music audience?1:10:18 – How does the Alink-Argerich Foundation support the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:12:16 – COMPETITION STRUCTURE1:14:25 – Why does Fryderyk Chopin have a special designation at the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:15:24 – JURY1:20:15 – What makes the Toronto International Piano Competition unique from other major piano competitions?1:23:23 – CATEGORIES1:25:24 – 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, hecompeted in 3 Grand Slams of piano.

In May of2025, he won 1st prize at the Dublin International PianoCompetition.

5 days afterwinning Dublin, he competed and became a finalist at the Cliburn InternationalPiano Competition by June of 2025. Heaccomplished this despite suffering from an injured right arm!

4 monthslater, in October of 2025, he won 2nd prize at the HonensInternational Piano Competition.

Meet CarterJohnson. From his roots in CampbellRiver, British Columbia, Canada, to his journey on numerous competitions overthe years, Carter has become a legendary pianist. Join Amos Vang and Carter Johnson as theydiscuss Carter’s preparation and mindset for the world’s most renowned pianocompetitions, the essence of musicality, the importance of adapting tounforeseen circumstances, and the importance of music and arts education inCanadian youth.

Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Other musicby 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 Islandinfluenced Carter Johnson?

4:08 – What were the most important lessons that CarterJohnson learned from Shelley Roberts, his teacher?

5:30 – The importance of teaching and learning

9:15 – Carter Johnson studied music at the University ofBritish 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 atJuilliard and a Doctor of Musical Arts at Yale School of Music

19:52 – Carter Johnson performed, and STILL PERFORMS, withAngela Hewitt!!!

24:15 – What were the most important lessons that CarterJohnson learned from Angela Hewitt?

29:13 – What inspired Carter Johnson to compete in theDublin International Piano Competition?

30:41 – Carter Johnson’s road to winning 1stprize at the 2025 Dublin International Piano Competition

35:39 – The 2025 Van Cliburn Competition took place just 5DAYS AFTER CARTER JOHNSON WON DUBLIN!

38:13 – Carter Johnson explains the importance ofmaintaining a good COMPETITION MINDSET!

46:41 – The situation that pianists face with competitionsand careers

50:19 – Carter Johnson’s competed at the Cliburn…WITH ANINJURED ARM??!!!

57:54 – What were the most important lessons that CarterJohnson learned from the Cliburn?

1:02:12 – What inspired Carter Johnson to “Hone In onHonens”?

1:04:13 – To what extent had Carter Johnson’s experiences atDublin and at the Cliburn influence his strategy at Honens?

1:05:59 – Carter Johnson’s approach to “Fracture” by ImanHabibi

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 CarterJohnson 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 CarterJohnson’s career? What are the mostimportant 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 classicalmusicians, and remarks towards his fans!

At age 16, he became a major prize winner at the Olympics ofPiano, 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 sawhim 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 YikeYang as the two pianists reminisce on Tony’s successful Road to Warsaw, hisexperience meeting Martha Argerich, the lessons that he has learned from hiscareer, 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 musicalinfluences?

11:07 – Tony Yike Yang studied at the Taylor Academy and at Juilliard Pre-College

15:25 – What are the similarities and differences betweenTaylor 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 importantmusical focal points for Tony Yike Yang!

30:55 – What inspired Tony Yike Yang to embark on the Roadto Warsaw?

34:10 – The 2010 International Chopin Competition was aHIGHLY impressive year! It set the tonefor future International Chopin Competitions!

38:44 – Tony Yike Yang at the 2014 Canadian ChopinCompetition!

50:56 – Tony Yike Yang at the 2015 International ChopinCompetition!

55:04 – What was Tony Yike Yang feeling and thinking at the2015 International Chopin Competition?

55:52 – Will Martha Argerich still like me?

1:02:48 – Tony Yike Yang became the YOUNGEST PRIZE WINNER inthe history of the International Chopin Competition!

1:07:10 – Dang Thai Son did not think Tony Yike Yang wouldmake the finals! Tony proved him wrong!

1:08:23 – What were Tony Yike Yang’s favorite moments at the2015 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 TonyYike 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 isextremely high!

1:40:02 – What is musicality to Tony Yike Yang?

1:47:09 – Tony Yike Yang and Amos Vang explain the greatestmisconceptions that he has experienced about classical music and piano?

1:47:39 – Amos Vang explains the misconceptions thatclassical music face in Canada, from a personal and wider societal standpoint

1:52:26 – Tony Yike Yang explains the situation thatclassical music faces in the world, from a personal and wider societalstandpoint

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 mostimportant lessons that Tony Yike Yang has experienced and learned in hiscareer?

2:10:01 – Tony Yike Yang addresses his fans and gives somecareer 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.auGolden 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!