YaoGuang Zhai

Principal clarinet of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2016, YaoGuang Zhai has become a sought-after soloist, chamber musician, and educator. Prior to his appointment in Baltimore, he served as associate principal clarinet of the Toronto Symphony and principal clarinet of the Shanghai Symphony, as well guest principal clarinet with the New York Philharmonic, the Saint Louis Symphony, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

As a soloist, in addition to performances with the Baltimore, Toronto, and Shanghai Symphony orchestras, Zhai appeared with the Victoria Symphony, Toronto Summer Music Festival Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra in Aspen, and the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival Orchestra, to name a few.

His participation as a chamber musician has taken him to many festivals around the globe, including Santa Fe, Stellenbosch, Hong Kong, Aspen, Angel Fire, Laguna Beach, and the Pacific Music Festival in Japan.

A highly respected educator, Mr. Zhai is associate professor at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and teaches annually at Interlochen Summer Music Camp. He has participated in the Master Players Summer Music Festival, National Youth Orchestra of China, Stellenbosch in South Africa, and summer programs at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Mr. Zhai began studying violin at the age of three and switched to clarinet seven years later. He entered the China Central Conservatory in 1999 and in 2003 attended the Idyllwild Arts Academy on full scholarship, followed by admission to Curtis Institute of Music, from which he graduated in 2009.

While a student he won numerous competitions and awards, including the Hellam, Blount-Slawson, Aspen, Spotlight, and Pacific Symphony Competition. His teachers included such distinguished clarinetists as Yehuda Gilad, Donald Montanaro, Ricardo Morales, and Joaquin Valdepenas.

YaoGuang Zhai is a Buffet Crampon and Vandoren artist. He joined the Curtis Institute of Music faculty in 2024.