Yupeng Cai

Yupeng Cai is a viola player from Chongqing, China. He is currently studying for his Masters at Royal Northern College of Music with their Assistant Head of Strings (Viola), Louise Lansdown. He has also completed a BMus Hons degree at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, also studying with Louise Lansdown, graduating in 2023.

Heavily involved with various commitments at RBC, Yupeng’s highlights include being Principal Viola of RBC’s Symphony Orchestra for the 2022/2023 academic year, and performing Brahms’ Sextet No.1 alongside Tim Smedley. Externally, Yupeng has played in the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival; played in the Benslow Music festival; and performed Ravel’s string quartet in Warwick University.

Yupeng has received masterclasses from some of Europe’s leading violists, including Thomas Riebl, Martin Outram, Timothy Ridout, Robin Ireland and Lucy Nolan. Yupeng plays on an instrument made by Antoine Gourdon in 2021.