The University of Puget Sound is proud to announce that Los Angeles–based multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer Grace Youn ’13 will deliver the Spring 2026 Susan Resneck Pierce Lecture in Public Affairs and the Arts. The event, titled “The Art of Not Knowing Yet,” will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall.
In her lecture, Youn will explore the intersection of rigorous technical training and the preservation of creative curiosity. Through a unique blend of live musical performance and personal storytelling, she will examine how embracing uncertainty and following one's “pull” can lead to transformative creative paths both on and off the stage.
A Tacoma native and Puget Sound alumna, Youn has built a distinguished career that bridges classical music, rock, and pop. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Puget Sound, followed by an Artist Diploma and Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Youn toured internationally as a multi-instrumentalist — violin, viola, guitar, and vocals — on Hozier’s Unreal Unearth Tour, performing in major stadiums, arenas, and festival headlining slots around the world
Public Master Classes
In addition to the keynote lecture, Youn will host two master classes open to students and the community in the Music Building, Room L6.
- Master Class 1: “Strings, But Make It Pop: A Live Arranging Lab” Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to noon. This will be a hands-on workshop focused on creating pop cover arrangements for strings, concluding with a live performance of the arrangement.
- Master Class 2: “Findable. Referable. Hirable. Personal Branding for Musicians” Wednesday, Feb. 11 from noon to 1 p.m.This will be a professional development session focused on building a reputation and presence in the music industry without influencer energy.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Pierce Lecture and Master Classes are free, but they are required for entry. You can reserve tickets online at ups.universitytickets.com or at the Logger Store, which is located in the Wheelock Student Center. Visit pugetsound.edu/piercelecture for more information.
About the Susan Resneck Pierce Lecture Series
Established in 2002 to honor President Emerita Susan Resneck Pierce, this lecture series brings prominent intellectuals, writers, and artists in public affairs and the arts to the University of Puget Sound. The series reflects the university’s commitment to exploring creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and the evolving nature of artistic expression.
