Yao Guang Zhai, is the new Principal Clarinet with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, appointed by Maestra Marin Alsop in 2016.

A native of Tai Yuan, China, Yao began his musical pursuit at the age of three on the violin, then switched to the clarinet seven years later. He studied at the China Central Conservatory in Beijing, the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild California, and then the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Yao was instructed by many distinguished clarinetists, including: Yehuda Gilad, Donald Montanaro, Ricardo Morales and Joaquin Valdepeñas. In 2009, he represented the Curtis Institute of Music to tour in the U.S. as the solo and chamber clarinetist, the solo performance was also awarded to the Curtis Institute CD of the Year. During his study, he has won the Hellam Competition, Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition, the Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition, the Spotlight Award and the Pacific Symphony Concerto Competition.

After graduation, he held position as Principal Clarinet at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in China for 2 seasons, and as the Associate Principal Clarinet with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra appointed by maestro Peter Oundjian for 5 seasons.

Along with his solo appearances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Yao has performed with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (China), Toronto Summer Music Festival Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra (Aspen) and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. He is featured to play the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Victoria Symphony in Canada in 2017. He has actively participated in various music festivals as both soloist and chamber musician; such as: Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival invited by violinist Cho-Liang Lin; Music From Angel Fire Festival invited by violinist Ida Kavafian; Laguna Beach Chamber Music Festival invited by pianist Christopher O’Riley; Aspen Music Festival; Pacific Music Festival in Japan; Beijing International Clarinet Festival; Toronto Summer Music Festival; and ChongQing International Clarinet Festival in China.

He was also one of the clarinetists chosen to record the Royal Conservatory of Music's exam level commercial CD, which has been sold across North America. He played the principal clarinet during live recording of Messiah with Toronto Symphony Orchestra and conductor Sir Andrew Davis in year end 2015; The CD is to be released in 2017 by Chandos Records.

Yao Guang Zhai is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist.