Almost Quintet
TRIO
About US
Almost Quintet is an emerging chamber trio founded in 2025 by three University of Kansas alumni who reconnected in California and discovered a shared passion for musical collaboration. The trio, comprising pianist/organist Dr. Peiyao Yu, soprano Dr. Zhengyingyue "Elaine" Huang, and violinist/violist Dr. Xiaohui Yan, brings together diverse instrumental capabilities that allow them to explore unique repertoire combinations. Their name reflects this versatility: while technically a three-member ensemble, their collective mastery of multiple instruments creates expanded musical possibilities.
United by their commitment to championing contemporary composers—particularly women and underrepresented voices—Almost Quintet presents programs that span from beloved classical works to cutting-edge new music. Since their formation, they have performed at venues including Curtis Theatre, Carnegie Hall, and Neidorff-Karpati Hall at the Manhattan School of Music, establishing themselves as thoughtful advocates for musical diversity.
The ensemble's upcoming projects include a Kansas tour in August 2025 featuring an all-female composer program with the world premiere of a complete song cycle by acclaimed composer Lori Laitman, alongside works by University of Kansas composition faculty. With additional performances planned in Los Angeles and beyond, Almost Quintet represents a new generation of musicians dedicated to expanding the chamber music landscape through innovative programming and genuine artistic collaboration.
🎻 Xiaohui Yan
A violinist and violist based in California, Dr. Xiaohui Yan is currently pursuing her D.M.A. in Viola Performance at The University of Nevada, Reno, as the violist of Nightingale String Quartet. Dr. Xiaohui Yan, who has completed her D.M.A. in Violin Performance from the University of Kansas, enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher across the United States, China, and Europe. Passionate about teaching, Dr. Yan served as a violin and string pedagogy instructor at Missouri Western State University in 2023. In addition to her talent as a violinist and a violist, Dr.Yan is also a researcher in the field of Chinese music. Her extensive performance experience includes appearances with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival (as assistant concertmaster), the Sewanee Music Festival, the Kansas University Symphony Orchestra, the Sewanee Symphony, and the Sacramento Youth Symphony Chamber Music Workshop. Internationally she has participated in the 3rd Summer Concert “Let the Dream True” at Vienna, Austria,
🎤 Zhengyingyue Huang
Dr. Zhengyingyue "Elaine" Huang is a Chinese soprano with an international performance and advocacy career. She has appeared at prestigious venues such as the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, the San Miguel Bel Canto Institute in Mexico, and numerous American opera companies including Temple Opera Theater, KU Opera, Opera Italia, and Lyric Opera of Orange County. Her operatic roles span from Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly and Suor Angelica to characters in La Bohème, Così fan tutte, and Die Zauberflöte. She has also given solo recitals in Shanghai, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and across China. A passionate advocate for representation in classical music, Dr. Huang founded the Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI) in 2021 to celebrate the work of Asian and AAAPI composers. ACMI has presented concerts and international conferences in New Jersey, Kansas, and Los Angeles. She has premiered new works by composers such as Ke-Chia Chen and Dong Kui, and appeared as a featured speaker at academic forums including IWMA and CMS. A laureate of the Russia International Vocal Competition and the London International Classical Music Competition, she also directs operas and engages in interdisciplinary music education. Dr. Huang holds degrees from East China Normal University, Temple University, and the University of Kansas, where she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts.
🎹 Peiyao Yu
Described as “a firecracker at the console” by the American Guild of Organists, Dr. Peiyao Yu is recognized as one of the most versatile keyboard artists of her generation, demonstrating virtuosic command of piano, organ, and the rare carillon. She has appeared widely as a soloist and chamber musician, performing in major cities and festivals across the U.S., Europe, and China, including California, New York, Boston, Michigan, and beyond. Her accolades include a gold medal at the 2022 Charleston International Music Competition and special awards for Best Schumann and Best Prokofiev Performances at the 2021 International Music Competitions. She made her orchestral debut performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at the Perugia Music Festival in Italy, and co-founded the "Almost Quintet" trio. Dr. Yu currently serves as Organist at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Studio City and as Creative Advisor for the Asian Classical Music Initiative. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas and remains committed to championing works by underrepresented living composers.