Rong-Yan Tang was appointed to the first violin section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Daniel Barenboim in 2003. After graduating from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she came to the United States on full scholarship to study with Camilla Wicks at Louisiana State University and Donald Weilerstein at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Prior to joining the CSO, Tang held several titled orchestral positions, most recently associate concertmaster of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. As a soloist, she has performed in China, Hong Kong and France, and with several U.S. orchestras.
A former protégé of Isaac Stern, Tang plays on a violin from Stern’s private collection, and by his invitation performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.
Tang also has extensive experience as a chamber musician. As first violin of the Fry Street Quartet, she has appeared on Carnegie Hall’s Rising Stars series, the New School’s Schneider Concerts series and at New York City’s 92nd Street Y. A winner of numerous awards and competitions, Tang considers the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition’s Millennium Grand Prize and first prize in the Yellow Springs National Chamber Music Competition her most notable.
Rong-Yan Tang currently performs on the CSO’s Chamber Music series and for educational concerts at Chicago Public Schools. She has appeared in recital at the Art Institute of Chicago and on WFMT-FM broadcasts, and as a soloist with regional orchestras.
