Melody Ye Yuan ’19 Appointed Principal Second Violin of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Alumna Melody Ye Yuan ’19 has been appointed Principal Second Violin of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, one of the world’s leading orchestras. A Canadian violinist, Yuan joined the LA Phil’s first violin section in 2024 and has quickly established herself as a vital member of the ensemble.
Yuan began violin studies at age five and went on to train with Professor Taras Gabora. She earned her Bachelor of Music at NEC under Donald Weilerstein and a Master of Music at the Colburn Conservatory with Martin Beaver.
Her career includes performances across North America, Europe, and Asia, with repertoire spanning Bach, Paganini, Sibelius, Bruch, and contemporary composers such as Webern, Schnittke, and Pärt. She has appeared with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, toured Germany with the Mainzer Virtuosi, and performed at festivals including Aspen and the Heifetz Institute.
Yuan is also a prize winner of major competitions, including the Yuri Yankelevitch International Violin Competition, the Bjorn and Lori Hareid Strings Competition, and the Montreal International Violin Competition. In 2020, she was recognized as one of Canada’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30.”
Her appointment to the LA Phil marks the latest achievement in a career distinguished by international acclaim and artistic versatility.
Congratulations, Melody!
