Yiran Yao joined the second violin section of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2025. Prior to this position, Yiran has performed with numerous ensembles, including the Pacific Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony, and the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles. She also held a leading position as the assistant principal second of the Stockton Symphony. Yiran’s exceptional talent has brought her to perform at prestigious venues such as Musikverein Vienna, Carnegie Hall, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Richard B. Fisher Center.

Beyond traditional orchestral settings, Yiran has showcased her versatility in a range of unique performances. She performed at the Game Developers Conference and was featured in the world premiere of A Ballet Through Mud, a work written by rapper and producer RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan. Her love for musicals also led her to become a member of the theatrical concert company For the Record, with whom she performs regularly.

A native of China, Yiran began her violin studies at age six. She started her professional music training at Soochow University School of Music, where she studied with the concertmaster of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. As a Chinese National Scholarship recipient, she attended the Bard Conservatory of Music for an exchange year before transferring and earning a full scholarship to double major in violin performance and art history. She went on to receive her master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Kay Stern and Chen Zhao. Currently, she is furthering her studies at the USC Thornton School of Music under the tutelage of Glenn Dicterow.

When not holding the violin in her hands, Yiran loves cooking, gardening, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Jiumi.