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 honors and entered the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where 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.

Yakov participates in festivals and chamber concerts both in Israel and abroad, as part of the Millennium Ensemble, as well as with such world-famous musicians as Julian Rakhlin, Daniil Trifonov, etc.

Yakov has a studio recording of the cello sonata Solo by Emmanuel Weill and some music for Piano Trio.

Yakov is one of the principal players in chamber music concerts cycle “Let’s Make Music Together!” (from 2018) and now he is a member of Trio INCREDIBLE with his colleague from IPO violinist Lev Iomdin and pianist Irina Zheleznova.