Bella Xiangcao, Shi

        Bella (Xiangcao) Shi is a vibrant and social pianist from China with years of dedicated study and practice, whose love for connecting with people is as natural as her love for music. From an early age, Bella has been dedicated, constantly striving to deepen her artistry and refine her craft. A true global musician, she speaks three languages—Chinese, Korean, and English—and carries with her a unique blend of cultures. Her journey has taken her to stages across China, Korea, Japan, Italy, and the United States, where she has collaborated with musicians from diverse backgrounds and given several solo recitals. Throughout her career, she has actively participated in numerous significant performances and competitions, such as performing at Steinway Hall in Seoul and in the 2022 Liszt Competition. gaining valuable stage experience and building a diverse repertoire. These experiences not only shaped her as a performer but also as a storyteller at the piano. Known for her passion for Romantic repertoire and her fearless pursuit of technical and musical challenges, Bella pushes the boundaries of her artistry while keeping her performances alive with warmth and spontaneity. In addition, she enjoys researching relevant musical articles—for her, music is not only about precision, but also about sharing energy, stories, and emotions with her audience.

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        Bella has won numerous awards, including the First Prize at the 4th “Sviatoslav Richter”International Piano Competition, the Absolute First Prize at the Fanny Mendelssohn International Competition, Ewha Womans University “Ewha Piano Concours” 4th Prize, and the First Prize in Seoul Art Concours piano competition. Additionally, Shi was awarded the Peace Prize from Ewha Woman’s University in 2023 with her chamber music group. Other performances in Seoul include a solo recital at Herman Art Hall (2024), a graduation recital at Ewha Woman’s University (2024), and a performance with Professor Kim Won in the Eden Classic Company Duo Collaboration project (2023). Her repertoire includes technically-challenging pieces, such as Liszt’s Ballade No. 2 in B-Minor, Liszt’s Rigoberto Paraphrase, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, and Debussy’s L’Isle Joyeuse. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2025 from Ewha Woman's University College of Music, the first music college in South Korea. Currently, she is studying for her Master’s degree at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she works with Benjamin Pasternick. Bella Xiangcao Shi plans to earn a Doctorate degree as well, and looks forward work as a pianist and educator.