Yusong Zhao is a distinguished violinist currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas at Austin’s Butler School of Music with a full scholarship. His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Music from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford and a Master of Music from the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music.

His musical journey began at age four under the tutelage of Liu Mingjian. Throughout his development as a violinist, Zhao has studied with several eminent pedagogues, including Brian Lewis, Katie Lansdale, and Stephen Rose, the distinguished principal second violin of the Cleveland Orchestra. His exceptional artistry has garnered recognition from leading figures in classical music, including Nurit Bar-Josef, concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra, who lauded him as “a highly talented young musician with exceptional technical skill.” Edward Cumming, former artistic director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, particularly praised Zhao’s “warm and expressive” tone, highlighting his distinctive voice in classical music interpretation.

As an accomplished performer, Zhao has established himself on international stages through prestigious festivals and competitions. A significant milestone in his career was touring Europe with the National Youth Orchestra of China (NYO-China) in 2018. His artistic excellence was further demonstrated at the 2023 Pacific Music Festival in Japan, where he served as concertmaster and collaborated with renowned artists including Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard and Japanese violinist Mayumi Kanagawa. His competition successes include first prize in the 2018 Hartt Chamber Music Competition, first prize in the 2021 Paranov Concerto Competition, where he delivered a compelling performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, and most recently, first prize in the 2024 Butler School of Music Concerto Competition, performing Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 under the direction of Farkhad Khudyev.

Zhao’s professional orchestral experience includes positions with both the Canton Symphony Orchestra and the Akron Symphony Orchestra in 2023. His commitment to artistic growth is evidenced through his participation in masterclasses with world-renowned violinists, including Rainer Küchl, former concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic; Daniel Froschauer, board member of the Vienna Philharmonic; and Nurit Bar-Josef. These enriching experiences have contributed to his development as both a soloist and orchestral musician, shaping his comprehensive approach to musical interpretation and performance.