Yakov Kashin was born in Russia. At the age of 11 he won the third prize at the First Moscow Competition for young cellists and in 1994 he received the prestigious Classical Heritage Fund grant. In 1995 he entered the Gnessin State Music College, where he studied with Prof. F. Sultanov.
In 1996 he won the second prize at the Moscow Competition devoted to the works of Prokofiev (the first prize wasn’t awarded) as well as the second prize in the chamber category (cello duet).
In 1999 he graduated with honours and entered the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where he studied with Prof. Е. Pozdeev (cello) and Prof. A. Bonduriansky (chamber music), graduating with honors in 2004.
In 2003 he joined the Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra under Vladimir Spivakov, and in 2004-07 he was a member of the piano trio of the Moscow Conservatory former students, performing in Moscow and across Russia.
In 2008 he became a member of the Anima String Trio, and that same year he won the World Chamber Ensembles Competition in Moscow. An active chamber musician and soloist, he performs in prestigious halls around the world.
Yakov Kashin moved to Israel in 2011 and since 2012 has been a member of the Israel Philharmonic.