推荐杏吧原创’s School of Music is thrilled to welcome pianist Cicilia Yudha to the faculty as its newest professor of piano. An acclaimed performer, dedicated educator and passionate advocate for student wellness, Yudha brings with her a global perspective, deep musical insight and an infectious enthusiasm for teaching.
A native of Indonesia, Yudha’s musical journey began early, shaped by a musically rich household and her mother’s work as a piano teacher.
“I’m the youngest of three, so there was a lot of music in the house," Yudha said. "I started helping my mom teach younger kids, and that’s when I realized how much I love both performing and teaching. They’ve always gone hand in hand.”
By age 13, she was studying with one of Indonesia’s most prominent pianists — the 铿乺st Indonesian woman to perform with the New York Philharmonic. That experience cemented her dream of pursuing music professionally. After moving to the United States, Yudha studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she completed an intensive pre-college Young Artist Program and collegiate program, followed by graduate work at the New England Conservatory and a doctorate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Her performance career has taken her around the world, from Cambodia and Canada to Austria, France, Germany and her home country of Indonesia. She made her debut with the Cleveland Orchestra in 2003 at Severance Hall and was awarded the prestigious Rosario Marciano Prize with a solo recital in Vienna.
Yet it’s in the classroom and studio that Yudha’s passion truly shines. “I want my students not only to play better, but to become better musicians and healthy, well-rounded people,” she said. A four-time recipient of the Steinway Top Teacher Award and a Nationally Certi铿乪d Teacher of Music, Yudha was also honored with the Distinguished Professorship Award from Youngstown State University, where she taught for twelve years before joining the University.
“My teaching goes beyond technique and repertoire,” she said. “Music is an expression. I want students to connect with the soul of a piece; to understand the composer’s message and communicate that with integrity. But I also want them to be good humans. Kind, culturally aware, self-respecting and community minded.”
Yudha is particularly excited about becoming part of Reno’s vibrant arts and university community. “The West is totally new to me,” she said. “I love the natural beauty, the diversity and the culture here. The School of Music feels like a hub of creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration and I’m eager to both learn from and contribute to that.”
Her goals for the program re铿俥ct this broad-minded approach: recruiting more pianists regionally, nationally and internationally andstrengthening ties between local piano teachers and the University. She'd also like to promote underrepresented composers in both her scholarship and performances. Yudha is committed to wellness education for musicians of all ages. “I want to support the next generation, not just as pianists, but as people. That includes working with local K–12 educators on student wellness and anxiety; something we really need to talk more about in music education.”
Beyond classical music, Yudha admits she has a soft spot for jazz. “Sometimes I play jazz arrangements and pretend I’m a cool jazz pianist,” she said. “I love listening to Marian McPartland, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Tatum …”
With her boundless energy, thoughtful artistry and a clear vision for building bridges between students, faculty and the wider community, Cicilia Yudha is poised to make a lasting impact in the College and University community.
