Cristian Yohannes is a 19-year-old violist from Frisco, Texas who began his studies at the age of 11 under the tutelage of Rachel Li McDonald. He currently studies viola performance with Professor Masumi Rostad at the Eastman School. Yohannes was selected for the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association All-State Philharmonic Orchestra and won second prize at the 2024 Dallas Symphonic Festival Competition Sonata Division. Yohannes has worked closely with esteemed conductors such as Cristian Macelaru, Mei-Ann Chen, Jader Bignamini, and Sameer Patel, and has collaborated with celebrated artists, including Ray Chen, Martin Chalifour, and members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Yohannes is a recipient of the HighArt Foundation’s 2024 Dr. Andre Thomas Scholarship and a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar. With aspirations to participate in the Sphinx Competition and join the Sphinx Virtuosi, Cristian aims to share the power and beauty of classical music with diverse audiences around the world.