Born on 5 March 1998, Yang Gao began studying piano at age four. He received his B.M. in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under Awadagin Pratt, and M.M. in piano performance from the Mannes School of Music under Vladimir Feltsman. He is currently pursuing his D.M.A. in piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Music with HieYon Choi. He has won 1st prize at the 2023 Harrison Winter Piano Competition and received the 2022 Gilmore Piano Festival scholarship. He has also received The Steinway Award from the Mannes School of Music as well as The Denes & Mary Agay Piano and Composition Scholarship from the Peabody Institute.