Melody Ye Yuan
About this Artist
Melody Ye Yuan, a distinguished Canadian violinist, joined the first violin section of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2024. Her musical journey began at the age of five. At nine, she studied under the guidance of Professor Taras Gabora. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory, studying with Donald Weilerstein, and a Master of Music degree from the Colburn Conservatory of Music under Martin Beaver, both on full scholarships.
Melody's talent has graced stages across Canada, the USA, Italy, Germany, Russia, Austria, and China. Her extensive repertoire includes 18 renowned concertos, all twenty-four Paganini Caprices, and the complete set of six Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. She is also celebrated for her interpretations of contemporary compositions by Webern, Lutoslawski, Berg, Pärt, Schnittke, and Papanas, as well as Canadian works like Otto Joachim's "Douze pièces pour les jeunes."
At the age of fourteen, Melody made her solo debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, performing Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" under Maestro Bramwell Tovey. She has also performed the Sibelius Concerto and Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy with the orchestra. In 2014, she embarked on a concert tour in Germany, giving recitals and recording as a soloist with the Mainzer Virtuosi.
Throughout her career, Melody has received numerous accolades. She won first prize at the Yuri Yankelevitch International Violin Competition in Omsk, Russia, third prize in the Canadian Music Competition, first prize at the Bjorn and Lori Hareid Strings Competition, second prize in the Friends of Chamber Music Festival, and the Gabora Prize for the Best Performance at the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival. She has also been a laureate of prestigious competitions such as the Queen Elizabeth Violin Competition and the Montreal International Violin Competition.
In 2018, Melody was honored as an artist representing the Heifetz Institute of Music in the prestigious "Heifetz on Tour" concert series. She was also named among "2020 Canada's 30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30" for her exceptional contributions to the classical music landscape. She has performed at esteemed festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and the Heifetz Institute of Music.
In her spare time, Melody enjoys going to the beach, watching sunsets, photography, hiking, and sports. She performed on a 1708 Carlo Giuseppe Testore violin. “A Magnificent Launch of the Season! A large crowd - spectators were even turned away! Melody Ye Yuan had the poise of a professional and a remarkable accuracy of execution.” - La journal de Prevost, Québec