The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) today announces the appointment of cellist Amos Yang to its collegiate cello faculty, joining faculty members Jennifer Culp and Jean-Michel Fonteneau. Yang, currently assistant principal cello at the San Francisco Symphony, will accept students to his cello studio at SFCM starting in Fall 2018. He currently coaches string players in the Conservatory Orchestra, teaches an orchestral repertoire class, and works with young cellists in SFCM’s Pre-College.

“We are thrilled to have Amos join the collegiate cello faculty at SFCM,” says Provost and Dean Kate Sheeran. “His rich orchestral experience and excellent teaching are assets to our program. With the addition of Amos to our cello faculty, we are now proud to have faculty members from every section of the San Francisco Symphony.”

“I am looking forward to joining the faculty of SFCM as the school continues to flourish and expand here in San Francisco,” says Yang. “As an alumni, learning how to play the cello and growing up playing tag in the parking lot of the old campus on 19th Avenue, I've come a long way and feel extraordinarily honored and privileged to be a part of the faculty.”

Yang has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, the Far East, and Europe, appearing at the Aspen Music Festival, the American Academy in Rome, Wigmore Hall, and Alice Tully Hall. He has collaborated with the Ying Quartet, Turtle Island String Quartet, pianists Ann Schein and Melvin Chen, violinist Earl Carlyss, and composer Bright Sheng. Yang's awards include the Performer's Certificate at the Eastman School of Music and first prizes in the American String Teachers Association and Grace Vamos competitions. He was finalist in the Pierre Fournier International Cello Competition and was awarded the CD Jackson Prize at the Tanglewood Music Festival for outstanding musical contribution.

As cellist of the Maia String Quartet from 1996-2002, Yang was involved in many educational programs, performing throughout the country for schools under the auspices of such organizations as Arts Excel, Young Audiences Inc., and the Midori Foundation. During this time he also served on the faculties of the Peabody Conservatory, the University of Iowa, Grinnell College, and the Interlochen Advanced String Quartet Institute.

Yang holds bachelor's and master's degrees from The Juilliard School. His primary teachers have included Irene Sharp, Channing Robbins, Paul Katz, and Steven Doane. Before joining the San Francisco Symphony, Yang was a member of the Seattle Symphony, maintaining a private teaching studio as well as cultivating an active solo and chamber music life. Born and raised in San Francisco, he is a graduate of Lowell High School and was a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and San Francisco Boys Choir.