Yan Liu, an exciting young clarinetist, has appeared as soloist with several important orchestras. In 2022, Yan Liu made his Carnegie Hall Debut playing Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Juilliard Orchestra under Maestro David Robertson. In 2018, Yan Liu made his solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra on its “Bernstein: 100 Years Young” family concert, playing the Bernstein Clarinet Sonata (orchestral version). In the same year, Mr Liu appeared as bass clarinet soloist with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, world premiering “Sonic Cell” by Slovakian composer Matej Sloboda at Beijing Contemporary Music Festival.

An experienced orchestral musician, Mr Liu was invited as Principal Clarinet by two prestigious orchestras in China: NingBo Symphony Orchestra for 1 month and the newly formed professional orchestra by the Central Conservatory of Music for 2 weeks. From 2017-2020, Mr Liu has been on both Europe and US tour with Curtis Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, Liu was invited to join Curtis “Star Trek“ Tour on Royal Caribbean Cruise led by famous actor John De Lancie. 

A passionate early music performer, Liu is also an expert on historical clarinet. In 2022 May, Liu was invited to join Juilliard “Early Music 415” Department’s Germany tour. Same year, Liu co-founded classical woodwind quintet group “Penthamonia” and won the Midtown Concert Series Early Music Fund and recital invitation in New York City.

Mr Liu has won prizes in several international competitions: The CCOM International Mozart Clarinet Competition, The International Youth Competition in Memory of E.A. Mravinsky, The Curtis Young Artist Summer Program Concerto Competition, and CCOM’s Woodwind Quintet Competition. 

Besides of clarinet, Mr Liu is also a passionate conductor. In 2021, Mr Liu conducted and played Mozart Clarinet Concerto with Juilliard Alumni Orchestra. Same year, Mr Liu got invited to conduct Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for Common Man at Jhao-Yin Academy Young Artist Summer Festival in ShenZhen, China. Mr Liu’s conducting mentors include Larry Livingston, Robert Kahn and Paul Bryan.

Yan Liu is currently studying at The Thornton School of Music studying with the top clarinet pedagogue Yehuda Gilad, after have completed his master’s degree at The Juilliard School, and his Bachelor’s degree at the Curtis Institute of Music studying with Anthony McGill, principal clarinet of New York Philharmonic. Prior to his time in US, Mr Liu received his high school certificate at the Music School attached to the Central Conservatory of Music.