The Academy Chamber Orchestra
Yunior Lopez, conductor

Dmitri Shostakovich - Chamber Symphony in C minor, op. 110a - III. Allegretto -

Recognized as a versatile musician, Cuban-born violist Yunior Lopez enjoys a unique career as a
chamber player, conductor, and entrepreneur. A recipient of many awards and prizes, Mr. Lopez
appears regularly throughout North America collaborating with esteemed artists as both conductor
and violist.

Since making his conducting debut at age 15, Mr. Lopez has appeared throughout the U.S. and
Canada as an emerging conductor to watch. In 2009, at the age of 20, he was appointed
conductor of the Academy Symphony Orchestra at The Royal Conservatory. Since then, he has
appeared regularly in concerts at the Royal Conservatory working with a variety of soloists
including Barry Shiffman, Stanislav Pronin, Andres Diaz, Stephan Moccio, and Marc Jordan to
name a few. Most recently, Yunior returned to Koerner Hall to conduct a performance featuring
2Cellos-Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser. During the 2015/16 season, Mr. Lopez will join the
Havana Virtuoso Orchestra as their Principal Guest Conductor.

A devoted chamber musician with eclectic taste, Mr. Lopez has performed alongside a diverse
range of artists including Jan Lisiecki, Roberto Occhipinti, Mikel Rouse, Phil Dwyer, the Hilario
Duran Trio, Gryphon Trio, and the Kronos Quartet to name a few. He maintains a busy perfomring
and recording schedule as a member of The Annex Quartet, which he founded in 2008.

Yunior Lopez studied viola with Steven Dann, Susan Barton, and David Holland. Other influences
include conductors Uri Mayer and Mario Bernardi and members of the Kronos, Tokyo, Orford, and
St. Lawrence string quartets. When not performing, Yunior enjoys speed skating, traveling, and
Texas-Hold’em poker. A young entrepreneur, he serves as President of Don Lopez Cigars in Miami,
FL. Mr. Lopez currently resides in Toronto, Canada and conducts using the batons of his late
mentor and friend Mario Bernardi.

Dmitri Shostakovich - Chamber Symphony in C minor, op. 110a - III. Allegretto -

CubanConductor