Bethany Liao

Bethany Liao is a senior at Parkway West High School and is eager to perform with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. Liao’s passion for music began with an early introduction to the piano at age six, which later led her to explore percussion and discover her love for the marimba.  

Liao has consistently earned Superior ratings for her solo performances at the Missouri Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival, as well as receiving a gold rating at the State level. She was selected to the Missouri All-State Band and served as the second chair percussionist in the Missouri-Illinois Bi-State Band. In 2025, she performed on the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall as a member of the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra of Webster University’s Community Music School. In school, Liao is a proud member of the Parkway West Symphonic Band and has also been selected to the Parkway All-District Band over seven consecutive years. Her favorite classical composer is Sergei Rachmaninoff, while Laufey is undoubtedly her favorite contemporary artist by far.  

Liao is incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of her family, her former teachers Tim Crockett and Kurena Yamaguchi, her current instructor Michael Faris, and her band directors, Brad Wallace and Jacob England.