Eric Tsai, violin
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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, Mr. Tsai has garnered critical acclaim as a soloist and chamber player, as well as a champion of music from Taiwan. Simultaneously, he is a committed educator, passionate about raising up the next generation of young musicians, and maintaining a highly successful private pre-college studio.
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Performing as a featured artist throughout the United States, Europe, Taiwan, and New Zealand, Eric Tsai 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, he partnered with Taiwan Connection’s education outreach program and traveled to elementary schools situated in under-reached communities across the country. Other past community engagement projects include performances at homeless shelters, hospitals, and veteran homes across New York and Philadelphia.​
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In 2025, Eric Tsai co-founded SPIRITUS Festival, a premier chamber music festival in Long Island. Since its inception, SPIRITUS has inspired audiences with its thoughtful programming, brilliant performances, and renowned artists. Under Mr. Tsai's leadership, SPIRITUS Festival significantly expanded its artistic programming in its second season to spearhead educational initiatives as well as the start of an exciting new masterclass series.
Most recently, Eric Tsai joined the internationally recognized Callisto Quartet as their new first violinist, engaging in a busy touring and teaching schedule with the group. Some highlights of the 2026-27 season include tours in Bermuda, Winnipeg, Mexico, and the US with Callisto Quartet, concerto appearances in Weiwuying Concert Hall in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and trio residencies in the Bay Area, CA and Boston with his piano trio, Trio Ariél.
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Mr. Tsai'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, Joseph Lin, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Joseph Silverstein. Past awards include the chamber prize in addition to second place at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, semifinals at the Premio Paganini competition in Genoa, Italy, bronze medal at the Fischoff Competition, the prestigious Chimei Arts Award, and participation in the Honors chamber program at Juilliard for the 2022-23 season. Eric Tsai received his B.M. from the Curtis Institute of Music and his M.M. from the Juilliard School, and recently completed his doctoral coursework at StonyBrook University as a Staller Fellow.