Zixiang (Victor) Yan

Born in 2000, Zixiang (Victor) Yan began his piano studies at the age of four in Guangzhou, China. He later pursued formal training in jazz piano under Professor Deng Yameng at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music, where he developed a strong foundation in improvisation, harmony, and performance. In 2021, he collaborated with renowned singer Sabrina S., releasing original compositions Rosanna and La Valse. That same year, he was invited to perform as a principal pianist at the CSSA North American Chinese Spring Festival Gala.

In 2022, Victor was accepted into the highly regarded jazz program at the University of North Texas College of Music. During his studies, he has been actively involved in ensemble performances and was selected as a pianist in the prestigious Three O’Clock Lab Band, one of the premier big bands at UNT known for its high performance standards. He has appeared at major events including the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, Vocal Jazz Extravaganza, and Lab Band Madness. In 2023, he participated in a coaching session with Michael League, the Grammy Award–winning leader of Snarky Puppy, and took part in collaborative exchange activities with the group.

In 2024, Victor collaborated with Jiupai Young Artist Cao Jiayu on the recording and performance of original jazz compositions for both big band and small ensemble settings, further expanding his experience across different musical formats. That same year, he led his quartet, The Authentic Quartet, in a featured performance at JZ Club Guangzhou, one of China’s most prominent jazz venues. He was also invited as a guest artist at the annual Jiupai Music Academy Summit, where he performed alongside UNT jazz vocal graduate Nan Wang, double bass specialist Guangjun Xu, and Zongxing Wang, a member of the Chinese Musicians Association Jazz Committee.

Currently, Victor is completing his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas and will begin graduate studies in Jazz Piano in Fall 2026. In addition to his performance activities, he has experience as a private piano instructor, teaching students of different ages and levels with a focus on improvisation, technique, and musical expression.