Born in Beijing, cellist Ya Limu attended the Beijing Central Conservatory and received her Master Degree in Solo, Chamber Music and Pedagogy and Doctorate degree from Russian Music of Academy in Gnesins studying under Professor V. Tonkha.

While studying in Moscow, Ya was active in various performances. She performed at Museum Glinka, Hall Shuvalova, Hall Gnesin and Small Hall of Conservatory. Ya also participated in the Moscow Cello Ensemble and was actively involved in playing contemporary and experimental music. In 1995, she was invited to perform at the Third Moscow International Chamber Music Festival.

Ya has also won numerous awards, including the 1984 Central Conservatory Bach Competition, the 1987 Chinese Cello Competition and in 1998 the finalist at the Ninth Moscow Tchaikovsky Competition. She has also been invited as a juror at the Beijing Cello Competition. Ya has participated in recording several music albums featuring Taiwanese folksongs and popular music.

Currently, she is a member of the faculty at National Tainan University of Arts and Tainan University of Technology in Taiwan, and is responsible for Misawur Cello Camp & Festival, which actively promotes chamber music for cello ensembles. In 2012, Ya established Kodály Cello Chamber Orchestra with leading cellists in Taiwan to promote cello concerts.