Dr. Wei Yu

Biography

Wei Yu was appointed Principal Cello of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2014, under the direction of Music Director Leonard Slatkin. He made his subscription debut performing Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in November 2015 and has appeared as a soloist throughout the season. Before joining the DSO, Wei was a member of the New York Philharmonic for seven seasons. He is a prizewinner in several competitions, including the Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition, the Holland American Music Society Cello Competition, and Canada’s National Music Festival. Wei is also an avid chamber musician, having participated in renowned festivals such as Marlboro, Ravinia, and Mainly Mozart, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as cellist Carter Brey and pianist Richard Goode. Additionally, he has served on the faculties of Northwestern University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, and has given masterclasses across the United States, Canada, and China. Wei has a strong educational background with a Bachelor’s degree from North Park University and a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, with principal teachers including Mei-Juan Liu and John Kadz. He performs on a 1720 “Bedetti” David Tecchler cello on generous loan from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Research Interests

Experience