Timothy Chooi
November 19 - 22, 2023
Powerful and finely nuanced interpretations, sumptuous sonorities, and a compelling stage presence are just a few of the hallmarks of internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi. A popular soloist and recitalist, he is sought after as much for his passionate performances as for his wide-ranging repertoire. Recent honors include Second Prize, Belgium’s world-renowned 2019 Queen Elisabeth Competition, First Prize, the 2018 Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Germany, and the First Prize, the 2018 Schadt Violin Competition in the USA. Recently he was the recipient of one of Europe’s most coveted prizes, “Prix Paternot” which recognizes a promising and accomplished international artist at the prestigious Verbier Festival in Switzerland.
Chooi's most recent artistic collaboration was a tour with Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Mutter Virtuosi where they performed across Europe's most notable concert halls such as the Musikverein in Vienna, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, and the Berlin Philharmonie. Recent performances include engagement with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Verbier Festival, and a live on-air recital on New York City’s WQXR classical radio station; and recital tours across Europe, North America and Asia.
In addition to his performing career is a founding member of The VISION Collective, a three-year-old ensemble of musicians and composers that utilizes music to highlight refugee and immigrant voices and stories, raising awareness for the global refugee crisis, and bringing together individuals from all walks of life together to create diverse and meaningful art. This ensemble was the recipient of the 2020 Harold W. McGraw Family Foundation's Robert Sherman Award for Music Education and Community Outreach.
Chooi is a graduate of the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Catherine Cho. His mentors include Anne-Sophie Mutter, Pinchas Zukerman, Christian Tetzlaff, Patinka Kopec, Ida Kavafian, and Pamela Frank.
An avid educator with a passion for sharing his international experience with young musicians, Timothy Chooi is the Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa. He performs on the 1709 "Engleman" Stradivarius on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation in Japan.
Photo Credit: Den Sweeney
