Pianist:
Hongbo Cai was born in China and recently made his Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Recital Hall. In 2021, He finished a concert tour around his native country in venues in Shanghai, Xiamen, Zhengzhou, Hefei, Fuzhou, and Putian. He won top prizes at international competitions such as the First Prize in the 22nd Valesia Musica Juniores International Competition, the Gold Award in the 3rd WPTA Singapore International Piano Competition, the First Prize Winner in The 4th International Moscow Music Competition, and the Second Place in the 15th Aloha International Piano Competition. He has collaborated with famous orchestras such as Shanghai Opera House, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, Fujian Symphony Orchestra, and Shanghai Conservatory Youth Orchestra. He is the Guest Artist to perform in the Closing Ceremony of the First National Youth Games of China in Fuzhou. He has met and worked with well-known pianists and musicians, such as Chengzong Yin, Prof. Robert McDonald, Prof. Yoheved Kaplinsky, Prof. Matti Raekallio, and many others.
Hongbo is a graduate of Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music, has received merit scholarships from Doctor Ende Niu Foundation and Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Education, and is currently supported by China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. He is now a student in the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music where he studies with Professor Meng-Chieh Liu.
Guest Violinist:
Born in 2000, Chinese violinist Liyuan Xie is currently a student of world renowned violinist Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory with the Dean’s Scholarship and Tan Family Foundation Scholarship.
Since his first solo orchestral debut at age 11, Mr. Xie has collaborated regularly with the Shanghai Philharmonic, Shanghai Opera symphony, Nanjing Philharmonic, Qingdao Symphony, Shanghai Chamber Orchestra and Novus Classica Camerata. Concert appearances in season 2021-2022 includes performing Beethoven and Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra, All five Mozart Violin Concertos Marathon with NCC Orchestra and Vivaldi ‘Four Seasons’ concert. He will also make his debut with Brookline Symphony Orchestra this fall playing Bruch Violin Concerto. He was also the prizewinner of many competitions including Adelphi Young Artists Competition, Bales Violin Scholarship Foundation Competition, Bellagrande International Competitions and many others.
Beside solo playing, Liyuan also enjoys playing as an avid chamber musician and has participated in Verbier Festival, , Sarasota Music Festival, New York String Orchestra 50th Anniversary, also for the ‘From The Top’ and ‘WQXR’ channel. He also served as concertmaster with NYO-China North America Tour, Verbier Festival Academy Orchestra in Verbier Festival, Apollo Symphony Orchestra Of Boston, Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra, and NEC Philharmonia.