"Melodies of DC"

From Piano to Stage: A DMA Candidate's Journey in Arts Management

The Evolution from Performer to Organizer

As a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance at The Catholic University of America, my life has been painted with the black and white keys of the piano. From the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China to the Mannes School of Music in New York, and now at CUA, each stage of my journey has been devoted to perfecting my artistry. However, as my educational and performance experiences in the United States accumulated, I found myself pondering a crucial question: In this rapidly changing era, what is the true responsibility of a classical musician?

My performance experiences at various venues, including Parker Concert Hall, Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall, and numerous diplomatic missions, have deeply impressed upon me the importance of prestigious platforms for young artists. Particularly, my invited performance at Carnegie Hall crystallized a realization: a stage is not merely a showcase for talent but a bridge connecting artists with their audiences.

The Birth of WIYAMS

In early 2023, while pursuing my studies at CUA, I began conceptualizing a professional music performance platform. As a recipient of the John Paul Music Scholarship, William Masselos Scholarship, and Mary Conner Scholarship, I felt a profound responsibility not only to excel in my personal artistry but also to contribute to the advancement of classical music.

Under the guidance and support of my mentor, Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, the vision for WIYAMS gradually took shape: we would create a platform that both showcases young musicians' talents and promotes cultural exchange. This initiative quickly gained support from the International Art Development and Promotion Association (IADPA), Bulgarian Music Society (BMS), and other institutions.

Distinctive Artistic Philosophy and Practice

WIYAMS is dedicated to promoting classical music and supporting young artists. All our concerts are free and open to the public, reflecting our commitment to making fine arts accessible to broader audiences. Each performing artist is carefully selected through rigorous professional evaluation by our invited jury members, ensuring the highest artistic standards. Our unique post-concert reception program creates valuable opportunities for young artists to engage directly with their audience.

Over the past two years, we have successfully presented five high-caliber concerts in Washington, D.C., at prestigious venues including CUA's Ward Recital Hall and the Bulgarian Embassy. We have brought together outstanding young musicians from diverse nations including the United States, China, South Korea, Guatemala, Brazil, and Colombia, fostering a rich environment for international cultural exchange.

As a professional artistic platform, WIYAMS offers comprehensive support beyond the performance stage. Each concert features professionally designed posters, professional photography and videography services, and high-quality concert recording production. Through our official website, www.wiyams.com, we present a multi-dimensional showcase of each artist's talents, building valuable professional portfolios for their career development. All these services are provided free of charge to our performing artists.

Academic Support and Artistic Integration

WIYAMS has flourished under the strong support of CUA's Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art. Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, Head of the Piano Division, has provided not only professional guidance but also valuable insights at our concerts. We have received invaluable support from numerous distinguished music educators, including Professor. Sharon Christman, Head of the Vocal Division, Dr. Patrick B. Tuite, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Professor. Peter Kadeli, Head of Sacred Music, and Dr. Anthony DelDonna from Georgetown University.

We are particularly proud that over 20 CUA students and alumni have graced the WIYAMS stage. Their outstanding performances have demonstrated not only solid technical foundations but also unique artistic perspectives and cross-genre musical expressiveness, reflecting CUA's rich musical education tradition.

Looking back at our "Melodies of D.C." concert held at Ward Recital Hall in September 2024, we were honored to feature numerous talented CUA musicians. From Maurice Ravel's "Miroirs" to Paul Schoenfeld's "Café Music," each performer moved the audience with their distinctive interpretations.

Browsing through WIYAMS's concert album, each photograph captures memorable musical moments. From our inaugural "Levana" concert at Ward Recital Hall to "Melodies of Sofia" at the Bulgarian Embassy, and performances at Georgetown University's McNeir Hall, each concert has witnessed the growth of young musicians.

Throughout WIYAMS's operations, I've found that each of my past experiences plays a vital role. My participation in renowned music festivals such as the Brevard Music Center, Atlantic Music Festival, and Rocky Ridge Music Festival has provided deep insights into artistic event organization and management. The experience of co-founding the New York Manhaville International Music Festival in 2021 has particularly informed WIYAMS's operational strategies.

As a musician whose festival organization work has been recognized by the AAF Foundation, I deeply understand the importance of professional reputation. This drives us to pursue excellence in every aspect of WIYAMS, from artist selection to concert video production, maintaining the highest standards throughout.

Innovation and Development

In just over two years, WIYAMS has demonstrated remarkable growth. The application data for 2025 is particularly encouraging: we received nearly a hundred applications from 36 institutions. Growing from our initial collaboration with 5 institutions to the current 36 represents a 200% increase, reflecting young musicians' strong desire for cross-cultural exchange platforms.

Future Outlook and Reflection

From my dual perspective as both a pianist and arts administrator, I hold great expectations for WIYAMS's future. We plan to strengthen our collaborations with higher education institutions while fully utilizing Washington D.C.'s unique cultural resources to create more opportunities for young musicians.

The Extension of Artistic Ideals

Moving between the practice room and the backstage has taught me that a contemporary musician's responsibility extends beyond perfecting personal artistry to contributing to the entire musical ecosystem.

Each WIYAMS concert embodies this belief—illuminating lives through music and allowing artistic seeds to take root in broader soil.

This transition from performer to organizer represents more than a mere role change; it is an extension and elevation of artistic ideals. As the saying goes, "Art must not only be created but also disseminated." In this process, I am fortunate to serve as both creator and disseminator, contributing my part to the development of classical music.