With the “pure poetry” of his playing (Seen and Heard International), pianist Derek Wang is drawing increasing acclaim from audiences and critics alike in wide-ranging appearances as soloist, collaborator, and communicator. An eloquent proponent of the music of Franz Liszt, Derek was awarded second prize at the 12th Liszt Utrecht competition in the Netherlands in 2022, which followed on the heels of first prize at the inaugural New York Liszt Competition in 2021.

Deeply experienced in contemporary music, Derek held a three-summer-long fellowship position as pianist of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. Derek holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School and is an Artist Diploma candidate at the Yale School of Music. His principal teachers have included Stephen Hough, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Matti Raekallio, and Boris Slutsky.