Piano Faculty

Dr. Yuru is a pianist, pedagogue, scholar, and arts administrator whose work bridges performance, research, and music education. She has appeared as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and lecturer at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Lied Center of Kansas, and Steinway venues throughout the United States and Asia. Dr. Yuru holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas and also earned degrees from the Mannes School of Music in New York and Wesleyan College in Georgia.

Her research focuses on Clara Schumann, collaborative pianism, nineteenth-century performance practice, and piano pedagogy through a Matthay-informed perspective. Her doctoral dissertation, Clara's "Twenty-Fingers" Magic: The Art of Arrangement in Robert Schumann's Piano Quintet, Op. 44, is published through ProQuest. She has presented research and lecture recitals at national and international conferences, including the College Music Society National Conference and the American Matthay Association Festival.

A recipient of numerous national and international awards, Dr. Yuru was selected as a Young Artist Fellow of the Orbifold Global Music Festival and has received prizes in competitions including the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition and the Classical Viennese Festival International Competition. Beyond her performing and scholarly activities, she serves as Program Coordinator for the Vela Fellowship and is an Artist Roster Member of Global Art & Culture USA.

As an educator, Dr. Yuru has taught students from North America, Europe, and Asia, ranging from beginners to university piano majors. Her students have earned distinctions in ABRSM examinations, received awards in international competitions, and gained admission to music schools and university programs internationally.