Viola, 1st violist Orchestre Milano and Arena Verona, Arteunita Valencia

Iakov Zats (viola) was born in Moscow. He attended the Central Music School and the Moscow Conservatory. In 1994, Mr. Zats settled in Italy, where he has played under the baton of some of the greatest European conductors. Between 1996 and 1998, Mr. Zats was principal violist with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. He has performed in the most important concert halls worldwide, and in 2006 founded the Serate Musicali al Collegio Papio music festival, in Ascona, Switzerland. That same year, Mr. Zats became principal viola of the Arena di Verona orchestra. He is currently viola professor at the Conservatorio di Reggio Calabria (Italy), and gives master classes throughout Europe.