Christopher Yick

Bassist / Founder of Hawaii Chamber Music Festival

Born and raised in Honolulu, Chris Yick is a dynamic musician and entrepreneur. A current double bassist at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University, Yick combines his passion for artistry and business. He currently studies with Daniel Tosky and Jeffrey Turner. He is also a class of 2016 graduate of 'Iolani School. 

Inspired by a love of chamber music and a desire to give back to his home state, Yick is the founder of the Hawaii Chamber Music Festival (HCMF). In its first season, Yick showcased Grammy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie, Maui native bassist and Indiana University Professor,  Kurt Muroki, and Cincinnati-College of Music Conservatory’s celebrated pedagogue and soloist, Rachel Calin. As the Founder, Yick has single-handedly grown the organization with over sixteen events. He has debuted over twenty-five artists while collaborating with over five organizations. Chris recently teamed up with the Hawaii International Music Festival and Chef Chai to fundraise for the volcano disaster relief in Hawaii. 

Yick has performed with many artists including pianist Jonathan Korth, Hawaii Symphony Concertmaster Ignace Jang, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra cellist Joshua Nakazawa, Tchaikovsky prize-winning violinist Eric Silberger, Metropolitan Opera soprano Amy-Shoremount Obra, and more. 

Chris began playing the double bass in the 6th grade under the tutelage of Katharine Hafner and Michael Gorman. Chris would continue his studies with Hawaii Symphony bassist, John Gallagher. In high school, he would become the principal bassist for the Hawaii Youth Symphony and ‘Iolani School. A winner of the 2016 ‘Iolani Concerto Competition, he performed Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei. He is a former participant of the Hawaii Contrabass Festival, Oberlin Double Bass Workshop, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

As a student of the McDuffie Center, he has gained experience in both solo and chamber music. He has had the honor of performing in Carnegie Hall while also being featured on NPR's Performance Today. He can also be heard in the ensemble of Robert McDuffie and R.E.M. Mike Mills newest album and collaboration: "Concerto for Violin, Rock Band, and String Orchestra." He has participated in many festivals such as FOOSA and the Festival Napa Valley: Blackburn Music Academy. He has also performed with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in the highly popular Kingdom Hearts Orchestra - World Tour. 

In his free time, Yick enjoys drinking coffee, socializing with friends, while networking with individuals. Yick is also currently an active realtor associate for Island Pacific Realtors (RS-79964).

Chris Yick plays on a bass made by Arnold Schnitzer (AES #36 2014).