Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1536125
84 maconmagazine.com | June/July 2025 How does music bring you together? Share a photo of collaborations, concerts, and connection to hello@maconmagazine.com C ollaborative piano is where a field where virtuosity isn't measured in decibels, but in dialogue. As the musical glue that holds a song together, these artists work alongside other musicians. A collaborative pianist listens as hard as they play, feeling the way through another's phrasing and elevating the music with a generous touch. Whether with a soloist or an ensemble, they interpret the musical work as a cohesive whole. Mercer University's Robert McDuffie Center for Strings has taken on their first Artist Diploma candidates in collaborative piano, working under renowned faculty member Kyung-A Yoo. MM asked each student for a quick tip on the art of collaboration – in life and music. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER IAN SMITH FOR MERCER UNIVERSITY T h e A r t o f P l a y i n g A l o n g Nicole Ying turns the pages for Leila Lok at the piano, right, during Brinson Moore's recital. Nicole Ying's path to the piano was anything but conventional. With a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from UCLA, she first explored the intricacies of culture and human connection—insights that now shape her nuanced and collaborative approach to music. Bold and versatile, as co- founder of (i)-ll-us-ion, the world's first suona and piano duo, Nicole is redefining contemporary chamber music, commissioning new works, and forging cross-cultural collaborations. Nicole holds advanced degrees from the California Institute of the Arts, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and the University of North Texas, where she earned her doctorate in Collaborative Piano with a focus on music business. At the McDuffie Center, she is the Renasant Scholar as she pursues her Artist Diploma. Calgary-born pianist Leila Lok has built her career around this type of cooperation. Leila made her debut solo recital at the Salt Spring Chamber Music Festival and helped introduce the Canadian premiere of the Novák Piano Quintet. After completing her ARCT Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music, she earned the highest exam score in Canada. She holds degrees from the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona and the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. But Leila's not just technically brilliant. She's taught elementary school students through the Peabody Outreach for Piano Pedagogy Program, combining her strong skills with a passion for accessibility for those who may not be able to afford lessons. " C o l l a b o r a t i o n i s g r e a t w i t h a n i n t e n t m i n d , a p a s s i o n a t e h e a r t , a n d o p e n e a r s ." -Nicole Ying " W h a t m a ke s c o l l a b o r a t i o n a m o n g m u s i c i a n s g r e a t i s t o t r u s t e a c h o t h e r, a c t i v e l y l i s t e n , a n d b e s p o n t a n e o u s ! " -Leila Lok