Mr YANG Shi-li was born in Guangzhou China, began studying the violin at age seven, and entered the Guangzhou Conservatory of Music at fourteen to study the viola. In 1984, he started viola studies at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing under Professor Sui Ke-qiang. Two years later, he toured Europe with the Chinese Youth Orchestra, performing in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. In the following year, Shi-li was appointed Principal Violist and the orchestra gave performances in Poland, Russia and East Germany. He is actively involved in string quartets and began studying conducting under illustrious professors; Professor Huang Hong-nian and Huang Fei-li.

Soon after, he was appointed Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, while holding a seat as guest violist in the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. In 1994, Shi-li joined the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and became a part of the Jade Quartet in 1996.

Aside from his identity as an orchestral musician, Shi-li has been active in his passion for conducting, having been the Music Director of the Victoria Junior College String Ensemble and the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School String Ensemble. He currently still conducts the Singapore Polytechnic String Ensemble while tutoring the viola section of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) and conducting string sectionals in SNYO.

Shi-li’s wealth of experience as a musician and expertise in conducting makes him a wonderful mentor and conductor of the string orchestra here at Melody Strings.