Yina Ma
Instruments taught: Violin, Music Theory
Styles taught: Classical
Email: info@ymviolinstudio.com
Ages taught: 4+
Languages taught: English, Mandarin
Offers in-person lessons
Palo Alto, CA
Yina began studying the violin at the age of four with her father, a professional orchestral violinist. Music has been an important part of her life ever since, leading her to years of continued study, performance, and teaching.
Throughout her musical journey, Yina has performed with a variety of orchestras and ensembles, including the Shanghai Student Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai City Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Opera Orchestra, Claremont Symphony Orchestra, and Palo Alto Philharmonic. She has also presented a series of solo violin recitals in the Bay Area, and her performance experience includes a solo appearance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York.
With over 15 years of teaching experience, Yina’s teaching journey began in Shanghai and has continued through Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she has had the privilege of working with students of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. She has guided students in preparing for examinations, competitions, and youth orchestra auditions, while also helping many develop a lifelong enjoyment of music.
Her students have consistently achieved excellent results in ABRSM and MTAC examinations, earned recognition in competitions, and been accepted into youth orchestras such as the Golden State Youth Orchestra (GSYO), where some have gone on to serve as Concertmaster.
Yina was admitted to Shanghai Jiao Tong University through its competitive arts talent admissions program, where she earned her bachelor's degree while remaining actively involved in orchestral performance. After earning her Master of Arts from Claremont Graduate University, Yina continued her musical studies in film scoring and classical composition through UCLA Extension and later earned a Master of Arts in Music Composition from California State University, East Bay. Her background in composition has given her a broader perspective on musicianship, music theory, and the interpretation of classical repertoire.
Yina continues to study violin privately with Zakarias Grafilo, first violinist of the Alexander String Quartet, as part of her ongoing commitment to artistic growth and lifelong musical development.
Music continues to be an important part of Yina's life as a performer, composer, and teacher. She values lifelong learning and hopes to share her appreciation and love of music while inspiring curiosity in her students.