Yao Lin

Dr. Yao (Lina) Lin graduated from the University of Maryland (UMD) with a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree, majoring in piano performance under the guidance of Larissa Dedova. Her journey in music began in her early years, having studied with internationally renowned Soviet piano educators A.A. Krasotov and A.M. Koncharov. Thanks to her exceptional musical talent, she gained admission to the Odessa National Music Academy in Ukraine, where she earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree, and received the esteemed "Red Diploma."

Dr. Lin has garnered numerous awards in international piano competitions, including the 3rd National Piano Competition in Klaipeda, Lithuania, the International Recital Competition "Southern Express" in Yalta, Ukraine, the Northern Illinois University Concerto Competition, and the American International Piano Competition in New York City.

She has performed in various prestigious music venues, including UMD's Gildenhorn Music Hall, Boutell Memorial Music Hall in Illinois, Carnegie Hall, Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake, Wisconsin, Singletary Music Hall in Lexington, Kentucky, the Kennedy Center, the Arts Club, and the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Lin has served as a member of the judging panel for the Chicago Chinese Music Festival Youth Piano Competition and has conducted numerous piano performances and masterclasses across various cities in China in 2012, alongside Professor William Goldenberg. In December 2017, the Maryland State Senate honored her with an official citation signed by Senator Susan Lee, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the arts in Maryland. In 2018, she served as the piano accompanist for Wang Liping's work in the DMV area. In 2023, she served as the piano accompanist for a mass choir of a thousand people on World Culture Day. She is an active member of the Friday Morning Club, where she performs solo concerts in the Washington, D.C. area. Additionally, her music studio has achieved tremendous success, with her students winning numerous awards in international, national, and state-level piano competitions. In 2022, she founded the Grace Music School in Germantown, Maryland.

Dr. Lin is fluent in three languages: Russian, English, and Chinese.