Ali Yazdanfar
Ali Yazdanfar began studying the double bass at age of seven, later studying with Boris Blumenkrantz.
He attended The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, earning a B.A. in physics in 1996, as well as Phi Beta Kappa distinction, the Kerr Memorial Prize for physics, and the Louis Sudler Prize for artistic achievement.
While studying, he also had the chance to pursue performance opportunities at the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied privately with Paul Johnson. Further studies were with Paul Ellison, Hal Robinson, and François Rabbath.
Ali Yazdanfar is currently principal bass with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.
He has also appeared as principal bass with the San Francisco Symphony and the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawaand has also been a member of the Houston Symphony and National Symphony Orchestra (Washington).
An avid chamber musician, Ali co-founded with violist Karine Rousseau the Ensemble Ulysse, a chamber music series in Washington, DC.
He has given solo recitals throughout Canada and the United States, and was the top North American prizewinner in the 2005 International Society of Bassists solo competition.
In addition to being a member of the faculty of McGill University's Schulich School of Music, Ali Yazdanfar spends his summers teaching at festivals including Le Domaine Forget, the Orford Arts Center, the National Orchestral Institute, and Bass Club in England. He has given master classes at the Université de Montréal, and the Curtis Institute of Music.
Still dedicated to furthering his craft, in 2007 he was awarded teaching and performance diplomas from L'Institut International François Rabbath in Paris.