A curious learner, capable musician, and passionate teacher, Yimo completed her DMA in piano performance in 2020 from the University of Washington, with her dissertation emphasis on piano pedagogy. During her doctorate study, Yimo served as a teaching assistant for the school of music, to teach both class piano and private piano lessons for the University of Washington. She established her own music studio, Yimo Music Studio, during the global pandemic of Covid-19 in 2020. Since then, Yimo also joined the Musiclink Foundation, as a volunteer music teacher, providing music lessons at a reduced rate for families in financial need. Her students have won gold, silver and bronze medals (Seattle Bach Festival, Russian Piano Festival/ competition, Spokane Piano Competition, Pacific NW Piano Competition) in the Pacific Northwest region. Yimo is an active member of the Music Teacher National Association, Washington State Music Teacher National Association and the Eastside Music Teacher Chapter. She served as the adjudicator for the local National Federation of Music Clubs in the Newcastle area and is joining the club in 2023 to become a new member.
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Yimo enjoys performing as a soloist and as a chamber musician. She has appeared as both soloist and collaborator in the Meany Center of Performing Arts, University of Washington. As a soloist during her attendance at Seattle Piano Festival in 2017, she performed Robert Schumann’s Novelette Op. 21 No.8 in F# Minor. As a collaborator, with the University of Washington Modern Ensemble in 2016, she performed the Radio Rewrite second piano part in a concert featuring composer Steve Reich. Her passion for collaboration with other musicians has led her to perform in Benaroya Hall, in 2019, with the Ensign Youth Choir. In September 2022, Yimo performed a collaborative concert with soprano Yayu Khoe, at the Renton Seventh Day Adventist Church in WA, featuring Chinese and Western Art songs related to the theme of the moon. Yimo has served as the accompanist for the RongRong Chinese Choir in Seattle, WA from 2019-2023. During the pandemic in Christmas of 2021, Yimo collaborated with artist director of the Seattle Chamber Orchestra, Lorenzo Marasso on a four-hand piano project, the Weihanchtsbaum (Christmas Tree) by Franz Liszt. Her avid curiosity led her to study the harpsichord and early music at the International Baroque Academy, in which she was exposed to the baroque keyboard and vocal repertoire beyond standard piano literature. She performed as a harpsichord soloist and vocal accompanist at the Cathedral of Ebbs, Austria and Oberaudorf, Germany in 2019.
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In China, Yimo studied in the Middle School Attached to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing from 2001-2007. Then in 2007-2009 she attended the Interlochen Arts Academy with a scholarship, studying the piano performance and attaining her high school diploma. During her first few years adjusting as an international student, Yimo found enjoyment in practicing and taking organ lessons and accompanying vocal lessons. She was awarded the William D Black Memorial Prize in Piano, to attend the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH. During her college years she was among the semi-finalists on the Jack Kent Cook Foundation for College Scholarship. She served as the Graduate Assistant for the PianoTexas International Academy and Festival, during her master study at Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, TX. During her doctorate study at the University of Washington, Yimo won the Gold Medal for the Bach Festival, hosted by the Seattle Piano Competition and Festival, in 2017. She won the Silver Medal of the Northwest Chopin Competition in 2018, performing Chopin’s Ballade No.1 in G Minor, Op. 23, and Chopin Berceuse, Op.57. Yimo is forever grateful for the mentorship and inspirations from the following musicians: professor Qifang Li, Eugene and Elisabeth Pridonoff, Dr. Tamás Ungár, Dr. Paul Schoenfeld and Dr. Robin McCabe.
