YA CHI CHENG

Principal Timpanist, Evergreen Symphony Taipei

Ya-Chi Cheng has enjoyed a successful career as an orchestral musician. She was Principal Percussionist and Assistant Timpanist of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and percussionist of the New World Symphony in Miami led by acclaimed conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. Other orchestras she worked with include Detroit Symphony, Grand Rapid Symphony, Toledo Symphony, and National Symphony of Taiwan. After her return to her hometown Taipei in 2010, she has served as Principal Timpanist of Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, one of the most prestigious orchestras in Taiwan. Ya-Chi’s performances can be heard on the Equilibrium and CPO labels.

Ya-Chi is also a dedicated educator. She is currently Assistant Professor in Percussion at University of Taipei and Fu-Jen Catholic University. She also teaches at New Taipei Hsin-Tien High School Music Program and coaches the percussion section of the Evergreen Summer Music Academy.

Ya-Chi received her DMA and MM degree at University of Michigan. Her major teachers include Michael Udow of the University of Michigan, Brian Jones of the Dallas Symphony, and Tom Freer of the Cleveland Orchestra.