Kirsten Yon

Dr. Kirsten Yon is Associate Professor of Violin and Head of the String Division at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. Former faculty at Texas Tech University, Yon received her DMA from Rice University, MM from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and BM from the University of Michigan. Her career includes recital engagements, concerto performances, and masterclasses throughout the United States (including Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall), Brazil, Czech Republic, England, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, Germany, France, Iceland, and Norway. She has taught at summer festivals including Interlochen, ARIA International Summer Summer Academy, Texas Music Festival, International Music Academy Pilsen (Czech Republic), Nathan Schwartzman String Festival (Brazil), Naolinco (Mexico), and the Cambridge International String Academy (England).

Yon held concertmaster chairs with Bayou City Chamber Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Caprock Pro Musica Sinfonietta, Ballet Lubbock and Cypress Symphony, and performed with River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Ars Lyrica, and Musiqa. Currently Concertmaster of the Shreveport Symphony (Louisiana) with conductor Michael Butterman, Yon is also an avid chamber musician. Devoted to outreach, Yon is Founder/Artistic Director of Annual Encuentro de Cuerdas, a pedagogical outreach program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Major teachers included Stephen Shipps, William Preucil, David Updegraff, and Kathleen Winkler. When not teaching and playing the violin, she is likely spending time with her two rescue puppies, Bella and Jasper!