GTiYO Conductors
Conductor and Founder Yang Kun Song
Yang Kun Song, a native of Beijing, China, was born into a musical family, and began studying cello with his father at the age of nine. In 1972, he was admitted to the Beijing Music Training Class. The following year he went to the Beijing Conservatory of Music to study with Min Yao Shen, the principal cellist in the Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China. Mr. Song graduated from Beijing Conservatory in1976 and later became the assistant principle cellist of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. He is a member of the Beijing Musicians Association and the Performing Arts Committee of the Chinese Violoncello Association.
In 1988, Mr. Song was sponsored to come to the United States by Dr. William Sloan and Dr. Paul Carter, on a recommendation by world renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. He studied cello with Professor Steven Elisha at the University of Toledo, Ohio, and graduated cum laude in 1993.Honored by a full scholarship, Mr. Song earned his Master's Degree in Music Performance at Central Arkansas University in Conway, studying with cello professor Felice Farrel. He was also a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Song is the founder of "Trio China" formed in Little Rock. In 1995, "Trio China" toured four major cities in China: Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, and he gave master classes at conservatories.
A highlight of his studies at Central Arkansas University was a second opportunity to serve as demonstrating cellist in a master class taught by the respected performer and educator Janos Starker (the first time was at Indiana University in 1992). After graduating from Central Arkansas University, Mr. Song returned to Toledo, where he presently resides. For several seasons he performed with The Lima Symphony.
Mr. Song also maintains a private studio where he teaches all string instruments. Several of his students have won Toledo Symphony League scholarships. Two of his students have won the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) Young Artist Competition and Toledo Youth Orchestra (TYO) Concerto auditions, earning the privilege to perform with these fine orchestras. In March of 2006, three of his students won the Northwest Ohio Buckeye String Competition for Elementary, Junior High, and High School Divisions. In March 2013, his students won first and second place honors in all age divisions of the District competition and second place honors in elementary and junior high divisions at the State level. He has many orchestra students who have been selected to perform nationally at Carnegie Hall in New York City as members of the American High School Honors Orchestra Performance Series. Many of his students play in the Toledo Youth Orchestras. In 2008, Mr. Song was appointed Guest Cello Professor at Yanshan University's College of Performing Arts in Qinhuangdao, China. He is the founder, Music Director and Conductor of The Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra (GTiYO).
Currently, Mr. Song is a music educator for the Toledo Public Schools. He is married to Sharon Du and has a daughter, Lee Ann, who plays both piano and cello, and graduated from Harvard University in 2015.
Assistant Conductor David Oliver
David Oliver received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Bowling Green State University and retired in 2011 after thirty-four years with Toledo Public Schools. During his career, in addition to his duties as director of the Toledo Junior Youth Orchestra for nine seasons, Mr. Oliver led orchestra classes at Bowsher and Scott High Schools, Old West End Junior High and McTigue Middle Schools, and many Toledo elementary schools. He is currently the Conductor of the GTiYO's Junior Ensemble. Mr. Oliver resides in Bowling Green with his wife, former Waite High School orchestra director Pamela; they have three children.