On February 23rd, the House welcomed over one hundred guests to a presentation and performance by Pauline Yang, pianist and U.S. Arts Envoy, titled “From Carnegie Hall to NATO: The Life of a U.S. Arts Envoy”. Ms. Yang enthralled the audience — complete with public diplomacy leaders, emerging professionals, scholars, budding musicians, and members of the I-House DC community — with stories and music from her public diplomacy tours around the world.
The program, co-sponsored by the Public Diplomacy Council of America, Global Ties U.S., World Affairs Councils of America, and American Women for International Understanding, was somewhat unique for Ms. Yang. She noted that because her talks are “almost always overseas,” it was a special opportunity to present at home in Washington — especially for some of her pupils who sat front row to watch their teacher perform live for the first time. Also in attendance were two I-House DC Associate Committee Members — Linda Harper, who warmly introduced the night’s program, and Lawrence Dunham. Matthew Hughes, President of World Affairs Councils of America, and Ambassador Eunice Reddick of American Women for International Understanding were also among the crowd.
Pauline Yang’s extraordinary career dates back to her childhood, when she began her piano studies at the age of five and won her first international competition at the age of seven. By eleven, she had debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra, performed her first solo recital at Carnegie Hall, and entered The Juilliard School, where she won both the Pre-College’s concerto and scholarship competitions in her first year.
Ms. Yang studied piano performance and political science at the University of Southern California, during which she was named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top Ten College Women of the Year. She also received a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Tufts University. She has since interned with U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12th) on Capitol Hill, with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton. Ms. Yang also served on the faculty of the Perlman Music Program and was a guest performer, teacher, and speaker at the Western Academy of Beijing.
Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Yang is a multiple recipient of the Steinway Top Teacher Award and a recipient of the Taiwan Gold Card.
Photo by Bruce Guthrie
As a U.S. Arts Envoy for the U.S. Department of State, Ms. Yang has done public diplomacy programming for U.S. Missions in Japan, Ethiopia, Portugal, Taiwan, Nigeria, Palau, Bulgaria, and Belgium where she performed on behalf of the U.S. Mission to NATO in what became the first-ever solo concert at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. She has performed across North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, with appearances at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, the Franz Liszt Academy in Hungary, and the Professional Training Workshop on the Chamber Music of Brahms at Carnegie Hall.
The International Student House of Washington, DC extends its deepest thanks to Ms. Yang, whose captivating stories her career, paired with a beautiful musical performance, made the night one to remember. I-House DC also recognizes Dr. Sherry Mueller, former Co-President of the Public Diplomacy Council of America, who initiated and helped organize the event. The House extends special thanks to our partners at PDCA, WACA, Global Ties U.S., and AWIU; to Bruce Guthrie for capturing the evening with photographs; to Linda Harper for her remarks; and to everyone who joined us for “From Carnegie Hall to NATO: The Life of a U.S. Arts Envoy.”
