About

Yiran Zhao, conductor & composer

Photo: Sea Han

Hello! My name is Yiran and I am a conductor, composer, singer, pianist, and Zumba lover currently based in Rochester, NY. I am a music theory and conducting instructor at Eastman School of Music, and a soprano section leader at Christ Church Pittsford.

There are many reasons why I wanted to become a musician. Music can do many things, and life as a musician is colorful with constant shifts between fulfillment and discouragement. I believe that a conductor’s most important goal is to do the composer’s justice, because (most good) composers write music for important reasons and the art of conducting and performing is to make those reasons seen/heard.

I grew up in Beijing, China, came to the US after graduating from Beijing No. 4 High School. I started playing the piano at the age of 4, and joined the Beijing Philharmonic Choir when I was 8. I sang in the choir for 10 years, during which we toured around the world singing in international choral competitions and fund-raising concerts for those who are in need, and communicating with people everywhere through music. From being a soprano in the choir, to a section leader, and later a percussionist, accompanist, assistant conductor, to conducting the public premiere of my own composition in 2017, my life was changed through choir and through music. I studied conducting and composition closely with my mentor, Yang Hongnian, the founder of the choir. Watching my mentor go through many hardships doing what is right, I learned that there is so much more to life and music other than notes on the page and “beautiful sounds,” and that in everything we do we should have love in our hearts.

I am a lucky person in that most of the time in my journey of life, I have been supported by my beautiful, kind, and talented friends. Life is full of challenges and solitude that we cannot avoid, but those people somehow make those hardships easier. I’m grateful for the company they have provided me.

I was honored to be invited back to my high school and children’s choir to coach and rehearse during my visit home in summer 2023 (4 years since I was home last), and to conduct sections from Mozart’s Requiem for my mentor Prof. Yang’s 3-year memorial concert. I truly miss him every day.

I am very closely connected with my family and friends, and I value quality time with them very much, although my family is all the way across the globe.

Besides music, I enjoy kayaking, cooking (especially with friends!), and I love dancing. It is strange to have music as a profession because it used to be (still is!) a hobby of mine, but it’s still something that I absolutely love.