Masterclass: Dr. Ka-Wai Yu, Cello

Dr. Ka-Wai Yu Biography

Currently the Principal Cellist of Southwest Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Yu has performed at major concert halls in Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. He is vivid as a chamber musician, and has been a member of the Zion Trio and the period-instrument ensemble Cosmopolitan Baroque.  He was a featured performer in the Kayenta Arts Foundation Concert Series, Midtown Concert Series organized by the Gotham Early Music Scene, and the Hong Kong CN Concert Series. His recent solo performances include concerto appearances with the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of Southern Utah, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Illinois, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Chamber Orchestra, and Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra.

Dr. Ka-Wai Yu is also the Associate Professor of Music at Utah Tech University, where he teaches cello and string chamber music. He previously taught at Eastern Illinois University and Indiana Wesleyan University. In great demand as a clinician, Dr. Yu has given master classes in numerous universities and institutions in North America and Asia. He is the Co-Director of the Castle Rock Music Camp. He has also taught in music camps and workshops in Illinois, Georgia and Michigan, as well as in Germany and Hong Kong, among them the Saarburg Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts and Intermountain Suzuki String Institute. He has served as adjudicator, held clinics, and guest- conducted regularly at various high schools, youth orchestras, and string festivals in the Southwest and Midwest, USA. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Service Award and Presidential Award for Community Engagement for his service at Utah Tech University. He is Past President of Utah’s American String Teachers Association, Artistic Director of the Cello Society of Southern Utah and directs the annual Cello Festival of Southern Utah that he founded. He has presented in the national and regional conferences of ASTA, NAfME, Historical Keyboard Society of North America and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association.

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