Dr. Nicholaus Yee is an accomplished violist, educator, and conductor. He completed his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he was a full fellowship recipient and served as a teaching assistant to Dr. Pamela Goldsmith and Professor Donald McInnes. His diverse training includes instrumental conducting, early music, and music education, which he pursued as minors within USC’s rigorous program.
A passionate chamber musician, Nick had the privilege of performing with renowned violinist Midori Goto following her faculty appointment at USC. He has also appeared in chamber and orchestral performances broadcast on KUSC 91.5. Throughout his career, he has performed with musical icons such as Yo-Yo Ma, Bobby McFerrin, Lynn Harrell, Doc Severinsen, Gary Graffman, and David Shifrin. He has performed under esteemed conductors, including John Williams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Carl St. Clair, Sergiu Comissiona, Stanisław Skrowaczewski, and Lucinda Carver. Nick has been a member of the Redlands Symphony Orchestra since 2009.
As principal violist of Del Gesù Strings, Nick toured South America in 2009 and 2010, performing in Panama, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Chile. Locally, he remains an active chamber musician and has recently begun a chamber music collaboration with Up Close and Classical, based out of Long Beach.
An educator with over 30 years of teaching experience, Nick is dedicated to fostering musical excellence. Since 2018, he has served as Coordinator of the Strings & Orchestra Program at the Orange County School of the Arts, where he teaches chamber music, conducts the String Orchestra, and oversees the program’s development. His teaching philosophy emphasizes a love of music, disciplined practice, and a collaborative approach to learning. Previously, he was a conductor for the Irvine Young Concert Artists orchestra (2008–2011) and served as viola coach for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (2015–2018). He also teaches private viola lessons, and several students have gone on to successful careers of their own.
Beyond music, Nick is an avid sports fan who follows college football and Major League Baseball. He also enjoys billiards, cycling, tennis, softball, attending concerts, reading, and exploring diverse cuisines. He resides in Orange County with his wife Grace, two children Juliana and Sebastian.
