Christian Yi is an up-and-coming Chicago-based musician. He is a performing musician, arranger, composer, pianist and keyboardist, educator, producer and music director.
No matter the context, Christian strives to grow and diversify his creative thought-process and life experiences. Taking classical piano lessons at the age of 5, he eventually ventured into the musical realms of jazz, pop, church, rock, and soul music. He also ventured into wind ensemble and orchestral music in his time at Cooper Middle School and Buffalo Grove High School as a tubist, trombonist and euphonium player.
Christian has had a chance to work with and be coached by phenomenal educators. These individuals include:
- Marianne Kim (jazz piano, jazz and classical arranging/composition, music theory)
- Chi Can To (piano/keyboards, performance
- Ableton Live, music production, music theory, music directing)
- Ed Jacobi (wind ensemble works, jazz theory)
- Elizabeth Bennett (music theory, orchestral works)
- Kyle Krause (aural skills, composition/arranging)
- Clowdell Williams (Hammond organ)
- Aimee Nolte (jazz piano)
Christian has had the wonderful opportunity to play at the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall (Northern Illinois University), Pick-Staiger Concert Hall (Northwestern University), The Jazz Showcase (Chicago, IL), the Chicago Symphony Center (Chicago, IL), the House Cafe (DeKalb, IL), Heritage Church (Lake Zurich, IL), the various campuses of Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, IL) and the United Center (Chicago, IL).
Currently, Christian is pursuing a bachelor's in jazz studies at Northern Illinois University. He has the amazing opportunity to study jazz piano with professor and Northern Illinois director of jazz studies, Reggie Thomas. He also currently studies with Tom Garling, professor of jazz trombone, in jazz arranging and composition.
Christian is currently working on building his portfolio as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. He plays and teaches at various venues, jam sessions, and other performances around Chicago and the Chicagoland area.
Christian is excited to teach students of all ages, whether 5 or 70. He believes that every human being is a student for life and that anything can be learned at any age. He is excited to work with students and has experience working with people and musicians of all age groups.