By Shelley Koppel

Entertainment writer

STUART - This is pianist Xiayin Wang's fourth trip to the Lyric Theatre, and the classical artist is pleased to be back.

She brings her classical artistry to Stuart on April 1 and spoke recently about her new program and why she loves Lyric audiences.

Ms. Wang grew up in China and studied at the Shanghai Conservatory before coming to the United States in 1997. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music, winning the school's Eisenberg Concerto competition in 2002.

Since her Carnegie Hall debut in 2000, the pianist has appeared at Tanglewood and Lincoln Center, as well as Carnegie Hall. In May, she will give the world premiere of two contemporary pieces, by Richard Danielpour and Sean Hickey, at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

For her Lyric recital program, she has tried to balance the classical, the romantic, the 20th century and the modern.

"Concerts are a little more fun than recordings," Ms. Wang said. "I can be more direct with the audience."

At the Lyric, she will play a Haydn sonata, works by Chopin and Scriabin, the "Mephisto Waltz" by Liszt, a waltz by Ravel, a chaconne by Bach-Busoni and a tango by Piazzola.

While she says she learns from every audience at every performance, she loves the Lyric audience.

"They are warm, supportive and friendly," Ms. Wang said. "I enjoy it every time I perform. They make me feel comfortable playing down there. I enjoy playing and I enjoy the weather. It's a big plus for me."

Ms. Wang is very excited about a future that includes performances and recordings. Her next project is a CD of Schumann trios, quartets and quintets, performed with several of her colleagues.

She is also looking forward to the Alice Tully concert and to continuing to perform the works of Richard Danielpour, the prolific American composer who wrote the opera "Margaret Garner." She will premier seven preludes by him.

"He has poured all his life into these seven preludes," she said. "They describe his whole life experience. There are very characteristic movements that are sad, happy, dark, bright. The challenge in playing all at once is to keep the characteristic expressed clear. He is precise in his notations. It's very impressive if I do it right."

Ms. Wang is also thinking about composing.

"It's a different angle of understanding music," she said. "What is in the mind is transferred into notes. It is more profound to transfer thoughts into music."

Pianist Xiayin Wang returns to the Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart, on April 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $33 and $25. Call the box office at (772) 286-7827 or order online at www.lyrictheatre.com.