Randy Calistri-Yeh

Randy Calistri-Yeh

Overview

I have been a cellist for over 40 years, and am active in several music groups. I am the principal cellist and founder of the Synergismus Duo, and I frequently perform solo recitals. You can see several of my solo and duet recordings on my YouTube channel. My cello was made by David Burgess, a phenominal luthier in Michigan. My main claim to fame (so far) is that I accompanied Pinchas Zukerman on cello continuo when he performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" at Brown University.

I also have a long history in the computer industry building artificial intelligence personalization systems, with a Ph.D. in computer science. My research and product areas have included personalization, user modeling, data mining, heuristics, and search engines. My work has been motivated by two core principles: using computers to help improve people's lives, and providing a more satisfying personal computer experience for each individual user.

I am the founder of Custom Chamber Music, which provides custom arrangements of classical music for any combination of instruments.


Randy Calistri-Yeh: Musician

Custom Chamber Music

Founder, arranger, programmer, web designer (2003-present)

Custom Chamber Music creates custom arrangements of classical music for chamber groups. We also have a large collection of arrangements ready for immediate download.

Solo Cellist

Solo cellist (2017-present)

I frequently perform solo cello recitals. I have a unique repertoire spanning many musical styles, and I am well-known for the interesting and in-depth stories I provide about the music. You can see several of my recordings on my YouTube channel.

Synergismus

Principal Cellist, founder (2005-present)

Synergismus is the premier violin-cello duo of southern Connecticut, featuring Millie and Randy Calistri-Yeh. We also perform with our friends in trios and quartets. You can book a concert or request more information here. We have many recordings on our YouTube channel.

Orchestra Cellist

Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra (CT)
Assistant Principal Cellist, Acting Principal Cellist (2022-present)

Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra (CT)
Cellist (2023-present)

Livingston Symphony Orchestra (NJ)
Principal Cellist (2007-2022)

Mercury Opera Rochester (NY)
Assistant Principal Cellist (2006-2007)

Penfield Symphony Orchestra (NY)
Acting Principal Cellist (2005-2007)

Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra (NY)
Principal Cellist (1996-2005)




Randy Calistri-Yeh: Computer Scientist

Everyday Health

Vice President of Marketing Applications (2011-2016)
Senior Director of Search Technology (2009-2011)

Led team of up to 32 people in 3 countries spanning system development, business intelligence (both back-end data and front-end reporting), data & content analysis, machine learning, quality assurance, and project/product management. Selected projects:

Ask.com / Ask Jeeves

Senior Director of Context Mining and Content Management (2008-2009)
Director of Context Mining (2006-2008)

Responsibilities include search heuristics for billions of webpages and images, personalization for millions of users, content classification and quality analysis, vertical search optimization, and tools for user productivity and back-end analysis. Directed up to 25 people on 3 continents. Mentored other managers, worked closely with other business units and partner companies. Selected projects:

TextWise / Manning & Napier Information Services

Director of Research (2000-2006)
Head of Advanced Technology (1998-2000)
Computer Scientist (1996-1998)

Responsible for all science/research decisions and overall science direction of the company. Provide technical management and leadership for a geographically distributed team of up to 11 scientists, linguists, and analysts. Involved in all aspects of project planning, proposal writing, and customer presentations. Selected projects:

ORA / Odyssey Research Associates

Manager, Artificial Intelligence Group (1993-1996)
Computer Scientist (1990-1993)

Project manager and principal investigator of a three-year government contract with Cornell University and the University of Iowa to build an intelligent planning architecture using techniques from planning, scheduling, machine learning, and distributed computing.


Education


Ph.D. in Computer Science, Brown University, 1990 (advisor: Eugene Charniak).

MS in Computer Science, SUNY Albany, 1987.

BS summa cum laude in Computer Science and Mathematics, SUNY Albany, 1986.

Minors: Music, German, Russian, Statistics.


Additional Information


More information available on my LinkedIn page.

Author of numerous published papers and patents.