Generation YSM: Meet choral conductor Yiran Zhao ’23MM

Meet choral conductor and first-year master’s degree candidate Yiran Zhao. Yiran talked with us about her studies in piano, theory, and composition, her long-held interest in conducting, and more. 

Q: What attracted you to the choral-conducting program at YSM?

A: What really stood out to me about the choral-conducting program at YSM was its interdisciplinary relationship with the Institute of Sacred Music. Sacred music and religion play such an important role in choral music, and music in general. After studying sacred music and theology throughout my undergrad, I’m looking forward to digging deeper into the sacred music studies at Yale.   

Q: You earned a bachelor of music degree in piano, theory, and composition. How and when did you become interested in conducting?

A: I have wanted to become a conductor since I was in high school. My mentor, Professor Yang Hongnian, from back home, was my biggest inspiration. I sang in his choir for 10 years before going to college, and we have a very deep personal bond. Last year he passed away, and to me, becoming a conductor and composer isn’t just a dream anymore, but also a mission, that I should pass his spirit (“to love and to give”) on to others by creating and making music with heart and soul.

Q: What shape do you hope to see your career take when you graduate from YSM, and how might studying at Yale further those goals?

A: My goal when I get my master-of-music degree is to become a well-rounded musician with excellent musicianship and leadership skills. I look forward to furthering these goals at Yale by spending lots of time on the podium, learning from my teachers and peers, and studying tons of great music.

Q: What interests do you pursue outside of music?

A: I love Zumba; dancing just makes me happy. Other activities I enjoy are basketball, badminton, and running. I also love biking and kayaking a lot. Somehow nature can always take my troubles away. I also love cooking (and eating, of course!).

Q: What have you been reading, listening to, and watching lately?

A: I haven’t read much recently, but some of my favorite authors are Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and Agatha Christie. I have been listening to musicals a lot lately as inspiration for my original musical on which I’m currently working. I like listening to pop, hip-hop, and I’ve gotten more into country music and older gems lately. My favorite classical composers to listen to are Bach, Brahms, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, and Poulenc. Also in my free time, I’ve been watching the Netflix series Riverdale and Outer Banks.

This is the first installment in a series called Generation YSM: Fall 2021.