Yina Tong was born Oct 6, 1987 in Shanghai, China. One of the highlights of Yina’s training in China was playing for renowned cellist, Rostropovich, when she was 12. The master’s positive comments about Yina’s abilities made her want to “master  the cello”.

Yina has attended many music camps and worked with numerous famous players since the age of 13. These camps include the Morningside Music Bridge program in Calgary, the Young Artist Program in Ottawa, and the Izhak Perlman’s Music Camp. In these camps, Yina has worked with many cello masters, such as Andrea Diaz, Desmond Hobig, Laurence Lesser, Paul Kadz, Aldo Parisot, Lynn Harrell, Hans Jensen, etc.

In the year of 2003, Yina moved to Calgary, Canada studying full-time cello with Mr. John Kadz, formerly principal cellist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. She held the principle cellist of the Calgary Youth Orchestra and has performed as a guest soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Shanghai Opera Orchestra.


Yina has an impressive list of Grand Awards attached to her name including top honors at this Canadian National Music Festival. Yina was a finalist in the Stulberg International String Competition at the University of Western Michigan, Kalamazoo, and finished in the top six; she was also invited to compete in the Kingsville International Competition in Texas, and was the 3rd place winner of the Kingsville Concerto Competition. Yina is currently studying with Mr. Ronald Leonard at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Music degree.