Yang Shi Li

Yang Shi Li (viola), born in Guangzhou, China, began studying the violin at age seven and entered the Guangzhou Conservatory of Music at 14 studying the Viola. In 1984, he began studying at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing under Professor Sui Ke Qiang. In 1986, he toured Europe with the Chinese Youth Orchestra, visiting Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. As Principal Viola, he toured Eastern Europe with the Orchestra in 1987, including Poland, Russia and East Germany. Through the different viola and string quartet master classes as well as the guidance of top maestros in the world, he gained more musical exposure, becoming an exceptional violist and mature string ensemble player. Additionally, he studied conducting under the tutelage of well-known Professors Huang Hong Nian and Huang Fei Li.

In 1988, he became Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music of Guangzhou, and also the guest Viola of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. He joined the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in August 1994 and the Jade Quartet in 1996.

As a conductor, he was the music director of Victoria Junior College String Ensemble and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School String Ensemble while currently still conducts the Singapore Polytechnic String Ensemble. He tutors a viola member of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) and has conducted string sectionals in SNYO as well.