Yang Meng

Yang Meng (born March 30, 1978) is a Chinese classical cellist gaining increasing renown in the United States.
Biography
Born in Xi'an, Shanxi, Yang first learned cello at the age of five from his father, a musician in the Chinese Opera Institute of Shanxi Province , Xian, and became famous in China as a child prodigy. At 10 years old, he won the China National Cello Competition and was accepted to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he studied for ten years. At 18, he represented China at the first Prokofiev International Competition in Moscow, Russia, where he won second prize (first prize withheld to honor the competition's namesake Prokofiev). Complementing the international recognition and performance schedule throughout China's major cities, he was also chosen to represent China in a special performance with Hong Kong Sinfonietta to celebrate China's regaining of Hong Kong in 1997.
After conservatory studies in China, Yang traveled to the United States and studied cello at Columbus State University, the UMKC Conservatory of Music, and Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the renowned cellist Lynn Harrell. Gaining increasing distinction and first prizes in competitions in the United States, he has since performed as a chamber music player, applauded orchestral cellist, and soloist alongside Pinchas Zukerman, Janos Starker, David Garingas, the Guarneri Quartet, the Orion Quartet, the Diaz Trio, and the Miro Quartet. He made his debut in New York at Carnegie Hall as a member of the New World Symphony playing with Yo-Yo Ma, the widely-celebrated Chinese cellist.
Yang currently plays with the New World Symphony Orchestra, a Grammy-winning ensemble of top-tier international performers under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Performances have been extensively televised, recorded, and acclaimed by the New York Times. Yang maintains a frequent touring schedule with the Symphony, being featured as soloist, chamber musician, and section cellist at concerts, festivals, recordings, and events around the United States.
Awards and recognitions
*First prize - China National Cello Solo competition
*Second prize (first prize withheld) - Prokofiev International Competition
*Special soloist with Hong Kong Sinfonietta, 1997
*First prize winner - American String Teachers' Association competition - Georgia
*First prize winner - American String Teachers' Association competition - Missouri
*Cellist in the New World Symphony (1000 auditioners yearly for 35 slots)

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