Yao Guang Zhai
clarinet

Yao Guang Zhai is currently principal clarinet of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and clarinetist for the Symphony in C ( NJ). He has been principal of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the Aspen Festival and Chamber Orchestra, and International Chamber Orchestra (CA).

Zhai was the winner of the Pacific Symphony Concerto Competition, the Spotlight Award, the Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition, the Aspen Music Festival Wind Concerto Competition, and the Hellam Concerto Competition. As a soloist he has played with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra (CA), the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (AL), the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra (Aspen) and will perform as soloist with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MO). He appeared on the National Radio show “From the Top,” the worldwide broadcast of the television program ‘Hour of Power’ with Robert Schuller at the Crystal Cathedral. He also performed by invition at the Laguna Beach Chamber Music Festival with pianist Christopher O’Riley.

A native of TaiYuan, China, Yao Guang began his musical career at the age of three on the violin, switching to the clarinet seven years later. In 1999 he entered the China Central Conservatory, then arrived in the United States in 2003 and was accepted on full scholarship to the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild California, studying with Mr. Yehuda Gilad professor of the Colburn School and USC. Zhai entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2005, studying with Mr. Donald Montanro, former associate principal clarinet.