Birth

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January 31, 1989 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

 

Nikki Chooi is a Canadian violinist who has made a name for himself in the classical music world. Born on October 20, 1989, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Chooi grew up in a musical family. His parents were both professional musicians, and his older brother Timothy Chooi is also a violinist. Chooi began playing the violin at the age of four, and by the time he was eight, he was already performing in public. He studied with Ann Elliott-Goldschmid, a renowned violin teacher in Victoria, and later with Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School in New York City. Chooi's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly began to make a name for himself in the classical music world. In 2004, he won the Victoria Symphony Orchestra's Young Soloist Competition, and in 2006, he won the National Arts Centre Orchestra's Young Artist Program. Chooi's career took off in 2009 when he won the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in New Zealand. This prestigious competition is known for launching the careers of many young violinists, and Chooi's win was a major milestone in his career. Since then, Chooi has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also performed at major music festivals around the world, including the Aspen Music Festival, the Ravinia Festival, and the Verbier Festival. One of Chooi's most memorable performances was at the 2016 Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm, Sweden. He performed the first movement of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Afkham. The concert was broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world, and Chooi's performance was widely praised for its technical brilliance and emotional depth. Chooi has also won many awards and honors throughout his career. In addition to his win at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, he has won the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award, the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition, and the Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts. Chooi is also a passionate advocate for music education and outreach. He has worked with many organizations to bring classical music to underserved communities, and he has served as a mentor to young musicians around the world. In addition to his performing career, Chooi is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, and the Mount Royal University Conservatory in Calgary, Alberta. Chooi's playing is characterized by its technical precision, emotional depth, and musicality. He is known for his ability to bring out the beauty and complexity of the music he plays, and his performances are always a joy to watch and listen to. Overall, Nikki Chooi is a talented and accomplished violinist who has made a significant impact on the classical music world. With his passion for music and dedication to education and outreach, he is sure to continue making a difference for years to come.

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