Nikki Chooi
Praised for his powerful and poetic performances, internationally-acclaimed violinist Nikki Chooi has established himself as an artist of rare versatility. Gramophone stated he performed with “total conviction and assurance.” Nikki is a Laureate of the Queen Elizabeth and Tchaikovsky Competitions, among others.
In 2022-2023, Nikki made critically-acclaimed debuts at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium as soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic and at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall with Orchestra NOW. He has been a featured soloist with orchestras across North America, Europe and Asia. He has also been featured at many international festivals including the Marlboro Festival, Ravinia Festival, and Rockport Chamber Music Festival and has collaborated with esteemed artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Eric Owens, and Time for Three.
Nikki is currently Concertmaster of the Grammy-award winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Music Director JoAnn Falletta and has appeared as guest concertmaster with several major orchestras. Previously Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Nikki's solos can be heard through The Met: Live in HD broadcasts in productions of Verdi’s La Traviata, Janáček’s Jenůfa, and the Grammy-nominated recording of Strauss’ Rosenkavalier released on the Decca Label.
A passionate educator, Nikki has presented masterclasses at the Morningside Music Program at the New England Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Orchestra of the Americas Academy, Sphinx Academy at the Curtis Institute of Music, Hong Kong Cultural Center, and the University of Auckland.
Nikki began his studies at the Victoria Conservatory, Mount Royal Conservatory, Morningside Music Bridge, and at the National Arts Centre Young Artist Programme. He completed his formal studies at the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School under the mentorship of Joseph Silverstein, Ida Kavafian, and Donald Weilerstein.
He has recorded for Naxos, Beau Fleuve, Atoll, and Decca labels. Nikki performs on a 1713 Stradivarius courtesy of CANIMEX INC. from Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, a 1749 G.B Guadagnini on extended loan through the Stradivari Society of Chicago, and a 2016 Joseph Curtin. Nikki proudly endorses Thomastik-Infeld strings.
Website: https://www.nikkichooi.com/
Timothy Chooi
Internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi, (pronounced as “Chewy,”) has captivated audiences worldwide with his virtuosic and finely nuanced performances. He is highly sought after for his passionate renditions and extensive repertoire, as well as his exceptional ability to connect with a global audience, amassing a media following of millions of viewers who have tuned in to his music.
Chooi gained international recognition by winning First Prize at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, Germany, and Second Prize at the Queen Elisabeth International Competition. He also received the prestigious classical music award, the “Yves Paternot Prize” at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.
Chooi has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Belgian National Orchestra, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. His performances have garnered glowing reviews from venues such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Wien, Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Additionally, he has collaborated with esteemed artists including Anne-Sophie Mutter, Pinchas Zuckerman, Jukka Pekka Saraste, Lang Lang, and James Ehnes. This season’s highlights include collaborations with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring Emmy Award nominee composer Brian Tyler, a return to the Toronto Symphony, and debuts with the European Union Youth Orchestra, Bruckner Orchester Linz, and the Wimbledon Music Festival.
Chooi’s music has been broadcast on several prestigious stations worldwide. In 2023, he recorded with Anne-Sophie Mutter and Mutter’s Virtuosi on Deutsche Grammophon, and his performance with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra was featured on Medici TV. His music has been aired on stations across North America and Europe.
Born in Canada to Indonesian parents and raised in the United States, Chooi embarked on his violin journey inspired by his older brother, Nikki Chooi. At the age of sixteen, his debut performance with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal) catapulted his career onto the global stage.
Currently, Chooi serves as the Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa in Canada. He performs on two exceptionally rare violins: the Titan Guarneri Del Gesu violin from 1741, on loan from CANIMEX INC. in Drummondville, Québec, Canada, and the Engleman Stradivarius violin from 1709, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation in Japan.
Website: https://www.timothychooi.com/