Tianyi Shen

Tianyi (Tony) Shen stands out as a remarkable young clarinetist. He is presently in the final stages of his Master of Musical Arts degree at the Yale School of Music, mentored by the esteemed David Shifrin.

Hailing from Tianjin, China, Tony began his clarinet journey in 2010 under the tutelage of his grandfather, Zhijian Wang. His prodigious skill soon led him to the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School after achieving exemplary results. There, he studied with the distinguished Professor Yuanfu Huang, the President of the Chinese Clarinet Association and a jury member of several international Clarinet Competitions. Tony's musical aspirations took him to the Curtis Institute of Music where he honed his skills under the guidance of renowned professors Ricardo Morales, Anthony McGill, and Michael Rusinek. He completed his undergraduate studies in 2020 and his graduate studies in 2023. He is on track to complete his Master's of Musical Arts program at Yale School of Music by spring 2024.

Tony's innate talent was recognized early on. By the age of 17, he was performing with the Israel Philharmonic on tour, conducted by Zubin Mehta at the Beijing NCPA. He returned to the spotlight for the inaugural performance at the Changsha Concert Hall in 2016. His musical journey also includes collaborations with the Russian National Orchestra, Brno Philharmonic, and Armenian National Philharmonic, in addition to various Chinese ensembles. Moreover, he regularly collaborates with the New Haven Philharmonic, stepping in as the substitute associate principal.

Tony has consistently made an impression at numerous international competitions. He secured third place in the Vandoren Emerging Competition in 2017, triumphed with the first prize at the Band Music Competition of Asia in 2016, and clinched second place in the American Virtuoso International Music Competition in 2022. In recognition of his accomplishments, he has been invited to grace the stage of New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall in 2023. The 2023/2024 season will witness the launch of Tony’s debut recording.

Critics and audiences alike laud Mr. Shen's playing for its poignant sensitivity, complemented by his impeccable technique. He possesses a profound understanding of the varied styles of clarinet performance and has an expansive knowledge of clarinets, barrels, and mouthpieces from across the globe. He chooses to play the F. Arthur Uebel Zenit clarinet and has a particular fondness for the basset clarinet when performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto.
Tony currently calls New Haven home, conveniently situated close to Yale. Here, he immerses himself in a vibrant mix of solo and chamber music endeavors while diligently pursuing his Master of Musical Arts.