Our Story

Our mission is to make classical music human, relatable, and relevant—by blending storytelling, lived experience, and meaningful conversation. We explore how personal histories shape artistry, how creativity fuels connection, and how today’s musicians bridge past and present with authenticity, joy, and courage.

What started as a podcast has become a platform for transformation—where unheard stories are told, new ideas take shape, and the classical music world becomes more connected, creative, and human.

WHAT WE EXPLORE

 

We explore artistic journeys and the personal paths that shape a musician’s voice. This season’s theme—creativity and connection—dives into how art builds bridges as we continue celebrating authenticity and joy, the theme from last season, as essential fuels for authentic expression.

We offer insights into career growth and what it means to thrive as a 21st-century musician. We highlight diversity and inclusion by amplifying underrepresented voices in classical music. We examine digital presence as a means of building community through tech and media.

We investigate innovative teaching methods and how fresh ideas inspire both educators and students. We explore how technology is reshaping music creation, and how musicians can maintain resilience and balance in their lives. Finally, we spotlight interdisciplinary projects where music meets other fields, expanding what classical music can be.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & RECOGNITION

 

• Quill Podcast Awards 2025 Finalist – Best Video Podcast
• Top 3 in Million Podcasts’ 25 Best Piano Podcasts
• Featured in 700+ publications such as Yahoo Finance, Insider, Market Watch, and Associated Press
• 350,000+ downloads and 3,000+ YouTube subscribers

 

SEASON 6: CREATIVITY AND CONNECTION

 

Season 6 is about lifting the curtain. Behind every beautiful performance is a story—sometimes messy, often unexpected, always human. This season, we focus on those stories: the surprising turns, quiet breakthroughs, and real-life moments of rediscovery—finding a path back to creativity, purpose, and connection with others through music.

In a world that often prizes polish over process, we celebrate what happens in the in-between—the unfinished, the vulnerable, the deeply personal. These are the stories that connect us.

We begin Season 6 with Chad Lawson—Steinway Artist and Billboard-charting composer—whose minimalist, introspective style reimagines classical piano for modern listeners. Known for albums like You Finally Knew and collaborations with Calm, Chad’s music brings stillness and intimacy to a global audience. In this conversation, we explore how music can soothe, surprise, and connect in deeply human ways.

 

WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON?

 

This season features a refined episode format, opening with cinematic trailers and unfolding through storytelling-driven segments and guest musical interludes.

We are launching our first live concert and panel discussion in collaboration with Mannes Prep on October 4, 2025, at New York City’s renowned Stiefel Hall at The New School—designed to bring artists and audiences into real-time connection.

Our Substack blog continues to grow with two core series: MEET OUR GUEST, which explores each artist’s creative pulse through Yukimi’s reflections, and BEHIND THE MIC, a space for personal stories shared with paid subscribers.

We are also proud to highlight our seasonal sponsors—organizations making a meaningful impact in the classical music world—including Keys 2 Success, a Newark-based youth program; the Art Song Preservation Society of New York; and Juneteenth LP, which celebrates Black classical excellence.

This season expands with fresh perspectives from guests whose work spans the unexpected intersections of music and real life—stories filled with surprises, resilience, vulnerability, and transformation. We continue exploring how artists stay grounded and authentic while deepening our commitment to collaboration and community through special content and creative partnerships.

 

ABOUT THE CREATOR: YUKIMI SONG

 

As the creator and executive producer of The Piano Pod, I bring decades of experience as a classical pianist, educator, and creative entrepreneur. But more importantly, I get an unrelenting commitment to storytelling—because I know from experience that the most powerful performances are rooted in authentic, human narratives.

My path into music—and into building this dynamic, multiplatform initiative—was never linear. It was shaped by reinvention, cultural complexity, and a relentless drive to connect through story. The Piano Pod is not just a podcast; it’s a curated stage for the voices, journeys, and perspectives often overlooked in the classical world—stories of identity, resilience, innovation, and joy.

Yes, I’ve performed at Weill Recital Hall, toured internationally, mentored students who’ve won international competitions, attended top conservatories, and built a multi-award-winning piano studio in Brooklyn. But The Piano Pod is the boldest expression of what drives me: bridging art and humanity, history and the present, culture and storytelling, and tradition and innovation.

To learn more about my story, visit: The Cre8sian Project – Amazing Asians in the Arts: Yukimi Song

Through this platform, I aim to foster creativity, community, and meaningful conversation—because classical music is not just sound. It is a story.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PIANO POD ON SUBSTACK

Join our Substack community to go beyond the episodes and into the heart of the creative process.

What You’ll Get:

• MEET OUR GUEST – reflections and commentary on our featured artists and their creative pulse
• BEHIND THE MIC – exclusive biweekly posts for paid subscribers featuring personal stories, production insights, and creative lessons learned
• Monthly newsletters and episode previews for all subscribers

 

Membership Tiers:

• 🆓 Free Subscriber – Public posts, monthly newsletter, and early announcements
• 🎧 Supporter – $12/month – Full access to Behind the Mic + one-day early access to new episodes
• ✨ Sustainer – $100/year – All Supporter benefits + sticker pack + one downloadable content guide
• 🥇 Founding Member – $250/year (limited) – All Sustainer benefits + Piano Pod pen + your choice of podcast consultation, a 30-minute piano lesson, or access to the Let’s Podcast! course

 

Subscribing supports this independent, artist-led platform—and invites you into our growing creative community.

 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

 

The Piano Pod is more than a podcast—it’s a space where stories matter, artistry is human, and connection is the goal.
Let’s keep classical music alive, relevant, and inspired—together.

With love and gratitude,
Yukimi Song
Creator & Executive Producer, The Piano Pod