Eric Tsai is an up and coming Taiwanese-American violinist whose playing has been described as both “dashing” and “heart-wrenching” (NZ Herald), and whose thoughtful approach to old and new works alike has earned him a place on stages across the globe. The 2nd prize winner of the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin competition, Eric has garnered critical acclaim as a soloist and chamber player on stages worldwide, as well as a champion of music from his home country of Taiwan. Simultaneously, he is a committed educator, passionate about raising up the next generation of young musicians, and maintains a successful private pre-college studio.
Performing as a featured artist throughout the United States, Europe, Taiwan, and New Zealand, Eric is deeply committed to spreading hope and light to audiences around the world through his art. In 2021, at the height of the worldwide pandemic, his quartet partnered with Taiwan Connection’s education outreach program and traveled to elementary schools situated in under-reached communities across the country. Eric also held the Morse Fellowship at Juilliard, allowing him to participate in outreach opportunities and bring music to hospitals and impoverished neighborhoods across New York City. Other recent projects include the inaugural season of Callis Ensemble, a chamber society based in Westchester, NY, as well as a new series of video projects exploring the themes of grief and hope.
Eric’s previous mentors include Catherine Cho, Ida Kavafian, and Shmuel Ashkenasi, and he has also worked closely with renowned artists such as Pamela Frank, Peter Wiley, and Joseph Lin. Recent awards include the bronze medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition with his piano trio, the prestigious 2022 Chimei Arts Award, and his quartet, the Quatuor Cael, being selected as an Honors ensemble at Juilliard for the 2022-23 season. Eric received his B.M. from the Curtis Institute of Music and his M.M. from the Juilliard School, and is currently a doctoral candidate and Staller Fellow at StonyBrook University.