Yun Xuan Cao

D.M.A. Orchestral Conducting, Frost School of Music, University of Miami ’26

M.M. Orchestral Conducting, Frost School of Music, University of Miami ’23

B.M. Piano Performance, Cleveland State University, ’21

Chinese-American conductor and pianist Yun Xuan Cao is recognized for his musical versatility, energetic presence, and compelling musicianship. From classical concerts to opera and musical theater productions, his diverse musical palette has led him to Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Severance Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, the Lincoln Center, and major concert halls in Asia and Europe.

Yun serves as the Music Director and Resident Conductor at the Aurora School of Music, as well as Assistant Conductor for the Palm Beach Symphony in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is also the conductor for the Frost Opera Theater, associate conductor for the Frost Symphony Orchestra, and Doctoral Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Orchestral Studies Program at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami under the tutelage of Gerard Schwarz. At the Aurora School, he has been instrumental in the creation of the ASM Orchestra and the 2024 ASM Orchestra Camp. At the Frost School, he manages over a hundred student musicians in the orchestras, coordinates special events and guest artists including Joshua Bell and Pinchas Zukerman.

Yun Cao has conducted and performed throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. As a pianist, he has played side-by-side with the Cleveland Orchestra, soloed concerti with orchestras across the nation, led Baroque ensembles from the harpsichord, and is an avid chamber musician. He is also the Second Prize winner of the American Protégé International Piano Competition and was a member of the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition Junior Jury. In addition to his duties at the Aurora School of Music, the Palm Beach Symphony and the University of Miami Frost School of Music, he is a sought-out collaborative musician on the podium and at the keyboard. His involvements at the University of Miami have led to world premieres of compositions, children’s concerts, and collaborations between the Adrienne Arsht Center of Performance Arts, the Lowe Art Museum, and the Frost School of Music.  His involvement with unique music and visual arts project led to a public television production that involved South Florida PBS, the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, and the Frost School of Music. Also at the Frost School, Yun also assisted Gerard Schwarz in the world premiere of Michael Dellaria’s opera, “The Leopard” to great national and international acclaim. He has also worked with Rob Kapilow in family concerts with a celebrated performance of “Green Eggs and Hamadeus.”

Dedicated to bringing music to a wider audience, Yun has performed outreach concerts throughout the US including lecture recitals to the Florida Honors Collegiate Council and presentation at the Virginia Music Educators’ Association. He is also a sought-after clinician for student orchestras.

On top of being an ASM alum, Yun holds degrees in piano and conducting from the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Cleveland State University.  Yun has received mentorship from renowned conductors, including Gerard Schwarz, Larry Rachleff, Don Schleicher, Brett Mitchell, and Miguel Harth-Bedoya, as well as pianists Joela Jones and Michael Baron. For more information, please visit yunxcao.com