Meet David Yu | Concert Pianist, Teacher & Lifelong Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Yu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Music has always been an integral part of my existence in various aspects. There was never a period in my life when I was without it – learning, performing, collaborating and even planning and staging. I was already introduced to music in my mother’s womb and by the age of 3, I would touch the piano for the first time. I came to the US when I was 10 years old and have attended public schools until I graduated high school. Later on, I learned that my parents wanted me to attend public schools in order to interact and engage with a variety of kids around my age, all with different interests and goals. Looking back, I would call it healthy parenting as their decision has allowed me to naturally pursue studying music among other interests. Having played the violin for over 10 years right up until the end of high school, I was able to rack up experience in chamber ensemble and orchestral playing as well on top of pursuing the piano literature.

Another crucial layer of my musical experience came in my high school years when I attended Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar (Los Angeles County), California. The school was awarded the title “Grammy-Signature School” in 2014 for its stellar music program, where more than 700 out of its 3,000 student body are in the music program divided into multiple sectors on any given year. It was during this period when I was able to continuously play the violin as my second instrument and gain my first experiences on the podium in the top ensemble, their Symphony Orchestra as well as play in multiple chamber groups and playing piano concerti as a soloist. Every year included a large-scale musical production where I would play in the pit orchestra as a keyboardist in collaboration with the school’s choir and drama program. In addition, I played every Sunday in the orchestra of one of the largest Korean-American churches in the US, the Sa-Rang Community Church in Anaheim, California. On multiple occasions, I have volunteered to share music for American Cancer Society for their Los Angeles Branch Galas, at retirement homes and other community events. There really wasn’t a day doing something related to music.

Years later in 2019, after 4 intense years of undergraduate studies at The Juilliard School in New York and completing the 1st year of my graduate studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston, came an unexpected halt to everything I was doing up to that point. Due to a family situation, my parents had to move back to Korea and I planned on taking a gap year originally. This would turn into a 4-year gap through unexpected series of events plus the compulsory military service as a South Korean male citizen, which I ended up getting experience in more areas outside of so-called “textbook learning” at school. Soon after I moved to Korea for the gap year, I joined a Seoul-based orchestra full-time for administrative work experience as well as a residence chamber and orchestral pianist. I tried to learn as much as I could, from artist management to even stage work, in order to truly get a well-rounded sense and knowledge of the ins and outs of everything that constitutes a concert. My work was cut short after 6 months due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. By late March of that year, the scale of the worldwide pandemic was apparent and I realized that I wouldn’t be able to return to the US later that year.

Instead of returning to the US to resume my studies, the mission I embarked from late autumn of 2020 brought the most profound change to my worldly views and philosophy. Fast forward to July of this year, I was happy to say – especially as the first grandson of a Korean War Air Force Veteran, mission accomplished. I have fulfilled my 20-month active-duty service in the Republic of Korea Navy Symphonic Band at the Navy Headquarters with main duties as a pianist. Within the firsts 6 months at the Navy Headquarters, I collaborated with 14 different woodwind, brass and percussion instruments keen to learn their different characteristics. I had to frequently give up my off-duty hours to complete these tasks and finally I was able to say I have covered collaborating with every single orchestral instrument. Up to that point, I have only worked mainly with string instruments and vocalists. I have also served as an interpreter and translator at the History Compilation Department along with other general duties. I gave my very best to serve with diligence, prudence, flexibility and integrity. Gratefully, I received a medal of recognition from the Admiral himself and a medal of friendship from the Chief of the United States 8th Army Band.

It was my disciplined and strict lifestyle in the military that I reached an epiphany about the values of life, freedom, self-discipline and a deep-rooted desire to live with music for life. I would definitely say it is a calling now, although it would be a rather difficult road stretching a lifetime. Life as a musician is not a road of roses, but rather an intricate journey. But I think difficultness is beautiful in a way, being difficult means it is closer to the Truth. There is nothing I would want more than to find my own individual place in the world of music to positively contribute, to help the development of the next generation and preaching of classical music. With the various experiences I have with all aspects, the ins and outs of music – wherever my path leads to, I am prepared to give my all as a messenger.

My usual concerts and routine performances show me how much I have done musically, it is importantly the special performance projects in the community that make me realize how influential music is to a group of listeners. I am an individual who enjoys working with others because collaborating is a chance for me to learn something new and share my heart and mind. In the past year, I have been working hard to grow further in every aspect as an artist – from teaching 17 to 19 students a week and playing a “salon” recital series in the community of Highland Park, TX as well as a monthly music therapy recital series at Presbyterian Village North, a prominent retirement community in Dallas.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As someone who made the decision to return to musical studies and career after 4 long gap years – due to the COVID-19 pandemic and my 20-month military service in the South Korean Navy, I can definitely say that I cannot live away from the world of music. I do not take anything for granted anymore as I know personally what it was like to be away from something so valuable and meaningful. My goal as a musician is to touch people’s hearts and lives; after all, music is a universal language and a powerful tool that can bring peace and unity to humanity. There was always a sense of satisfaction that I am using my talent that God has given me to bring joy and solidarity to others; to me that’s what playing music is about.

*(The rest of my story is already included in the first questionnaire)*

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is definitely a unique place – three urban cores and numerous suburban arteries adding up to a massive powerhouse. A nice blend of Southern traditions and the wonderful people that makes Texas great, combined with modernity and progress. Texas is set to become the #1 state in America in a decade or two, and the exploding economic and population growth is proof of exactly that.

With some of the lowest gas prices in the country, driving around long distances is not much of an issue. (The growing traffic congestions on the other hand…) There are many upscale shopping malls and outlets to check out. Although mostly man-made, the large lakes such as Lewisville Lake and Rockwall Lake in the DFW area provide a nice breeze and scenic views. Talking a long walk at the many lakeside parks and trails would be one of my top picks. Having lived near a coastline my entire life (LA, New York, Boston etc.), it’s important for me to always see large bodies of water. As a classical musician, I have to highlight the arts and the culture scene. Along with the many museums, Dallas is an arts-focused city as well with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Opera getting world-wide recognition. The Fort-Worth Symphony on the other side of the Metroplex is another highlight. A must-have performance experience for anyone visiting the area.

They say everything is bigger in Texas – a visit to look at the enormous houses and mansions in affluent neighborhoods such as Highland Park, Lewisville and Southlake is a sight to behold. And so are the food choices, from Tex-Mex to Indian, Italian to Ethiopian, Korean to Russian cuisine – the choices are endless with generous portions worthy of being called Texan. But eating Texan Barbeque (such as Terry Black’s) is almost mandatory, no visit to Texas is complete without it. Checking out the Fort-Worth Stockyards would be a nice bonus to leave a lasting impression.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my Shoutout to my grandfather who passed away in 2023 at the age of 90, who was my greatest patron for me to continue my journey as a young artist. I also would like to give a special shoutout to my parents and grandmother in Seoul, South Korea, as well as my professors along the way for always guiding me to grow.