Yan Cong
During my studies in China, I was active in solo, chamber music, symphony performances, etc. In July 1995, I entered Department of Technical Secondary Education of Nanjing Arts Institute to study viola as one of the top 8 examinees from the Five Cities in East China study under the best viola professor in China-- Xidi Shen. In October 1996, I attended The 6th China Arts Festival during which I gave my own concert performing Schubert Arpeggione Sonata for Viola and Brahms Viola Sonata Op.120 Nr. 1. I also performed Beethoven No.9 Symphony with the celebrated JiangSu Province Orchestra. In September 2001, I entered the Chinese musician's cradle, the best music university--Central Conservatory of Music as the top seventh examinee in China to continue my major in viola study under one of the best viola professors in China--Changhai Wang. In April 2003, I took part in the famous ‘Beethoven Festival’ in Bonn with one of the best professional orchestras-- the China Youth Orchestra. Our performances there were highly successful. Otherwise, I was also a member of Central Conservatory Quartet in Central conservatory in China and we have had master classes with the Tokyo Quartet, Seiji Ozawa and Yoyo Ma.
In March 2005, I was chosen by Malcolm Layfield the head of string department of Royal Northern College of Music to study the Post Graduate Diploma of Viola Performance in Manchester. In September 2005, I came to the UK and commenced my Post Graduate Diploma of Viola Performance study under the guidance of the renowned British violist, viola professor Roger Bigley.
During the time in the UK, I played actively not only in my own solo concerts but also in the chamber works and symphony performances. In Royal Northern College, besides having lessons with Roger Bigley, I have had lessons with the Tomas Rible, Simon Rowland-Jones and Malcolm Layfield. After receiving my PG Diploma from RNCM, I was given the full funding from Guildhall School Trust for my Master’s degree course and study with the famous viola performer and educator Sven Arnetepl. During my study life in Guildhall, I played with the Guildhall Orchestra conducted by Sir Collin Davis. In the BBC Celebration of Gubaidulina performances in January 2006, I was the principal violist in the viola section in the Guildhall Orchestra. In September 2007, I received the full scholarship for studying the Masters in Professional Music Performance course in GSMD and study under one of the most famous violin and viola educators in Britain John Glickman. During this time, I was actively performing in the chamber music concerts in the UK, Italy and Germany, etc. In September 2008, I finished the study in Guildhall with the Distinction Mark and soon became the assistant of the viola professor Changhai Wang who is one of the best viola teachers in China. I’m also the viola tutor in China Conservatory and the viola coach in the Chinese Symphony Orchestra College. Besides teaching, I have had my solo concerts in the cities of Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, etc in China.
In March 2005, I was chosen by Malcolm Layfield the head of string department of Royal Northern College of Music to study the Post Graduate Diploma of Viola Performance in Manchester. In September 2005, I came to the UK and commenced my Post Graduate Diploma of Viola Performance study under the guidance of the renowned British violist, viola professor Roger Bigley.
During the time in the UK, I played actively not only in my own solo concerts but also in the chamber works and symphony performances. In Royal Northern College, besides having lessons with Roger Bigley, I have had lessons with the Tomas Rible, Simon Rowland-Jones and Malcolm Layfield. After receiving my PG Diploma from RNCM, I was given the full funding from Guildhall School Trust for my Master’s degree course and study with the famous viola performer and educator Sven Arnetepl. During my study life in Guildhall, I played with the Guildhall Orchestra conducted by Sir Collin Davis. In the BBC Celebration of Gubaidulina performances in January 2006, I was the principal violist in the viola section in the Guildhall Orchestra. In September 2007, I received the full scholarship for studying the Masters in Professional Music Performance course in GSMD and study under one of the most famous violin and viola educators in Britain John Glickman. During this time, I was actively performing in the chamber music concerts in the UK, Italy and Germany, etc. In September 2008, I finished the study in Guildhall with the Distinction Mark and soon became the assistant of the viola professor Changhai Wang who is one of the best viola teachers in China. I’m also the viola tutor in China Conservatory and the viola coach in the Chinese Symphony Orchestra College. Besides teaching, I have had my solo concerts in the cities of Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, etc in China.
