Professor Kong Zhaohui, a celebrated violinist, has recently joined The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao as Violin Professor . His appointment will further strengthen the school's string faculty, bringing international-level instruction and profound artistic expertise.
A Distinguished Musical Career
Professor Kong Zhaohui began learning the violin at the age of five under his father Kong Guangtian's guidance . At eleven, he was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music with outstanding results, studying under Professors Wang Zhenshan and Sui Keqiang . During his studies, he served as concertmaster of both the China Youth Symphony Orchestra and the China Youth Symphony, and received personal guidance from violin masters including Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Niemann, and Brays .
After graduating in 1984, Professor Kong remained at the Central Conservatory of Music as a faculty member . He also served as concertmaster of the Beijing Concert Hall Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and guest concertmaster of the China Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra . In September 1987, he performed the "Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto" at the inaugural Macau International Music Festival, captivating audiences with his delicate, expressive, and dynamic interpretation, earning him recognition as an authority on this iconic work . To date, he has performed the concerto over a hundred times, earning widespread acclaim for his masterful technique, sincere emotion, and profound artistic depth .
Professor Kong currently serves as Associate Principal of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Guest Concertmaster of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra . He has collaborated with numerous leading orchestras, including the Central Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra . He has also released several solo albums, including the gold record "Yellow River-Butterfly Lovers" (Hugo Records, 1991) and "Ma Sicong's Masterpieces for Violin" (Pacific Audio & Video Corporation, 1995), with his artistic足迹 spanning Asia, Europe, and Oceania .
Rich Teaching Experience and Legacy
Professor Kong Zhaohui has dedicated decades to teaching, achieving remarkable results . He has been invited to give masterclasses at institutions such as the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, integrating his extensive stage experience into teaching and emphasizing the transmission of both technical skill and emotional expression . His students have won numerous gold medals in national and international music competitions in Singapore, and many have been admitted to world-renowned music institutions such as the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore and the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo .
A Deep Connection with Menuhin
Notably, Professor Kong Zhaohui and Principal Lu Siqing share a long-standing connection—they were fellow students under Professor Wang Zhenshan at the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School, encouraging and supporting each other in their studies, forging a deep friendship . As early as June 2024, Professor Kong visited the school to give a public masterclass. He was deeply impressed by the professional standard and enthusiasm for learning demonstrated by our students. On December 27, 2025, at The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao New Year Concert, Professor Kong joined Principal Lu Siqing and faculty and students from the Violin Department in performing Vivaldi's "Concerto for Four Violins and String Orchestra," showcasing his seamless collaboration with the Menuhin teaching team .
