Andrew Hsu, Concert Master
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Andrew studied in the School of Music of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated with Bachelor of Music (with High Honours) and Master of Music degrees in violin performance. He was awarded tuition waiver during his studies. He studied violin performance under Prof. Sherban Lupu, and chamber music under the members of the Pacifica Quartet. He played in various performing groups in and outside school. In summer 2008, he performed in the Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall as his debut solo violin recital in Hong Kong.
After graduation, Andrew joined Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. During his years in Civic Orchestra, he studied and received coaching from several musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including Robert Chen, Nathan Cole and Yuan-Qing Yu. He also performed under several world-class conductors such as Jaap van Zweden, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Peter Oundjian, Xian Zhang, Larry Rachleff and Markus Stenz. He was also selected as a member of MusiCorps programme, in which he formed a string quintet with fellow members from Civic Orchestra and performed in various elementary schools, high schools and parks in Chicago, and introducing different string instruments and explaining their performing methods to the students and audience. He also served as a coach to the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra during his time in Chicago.
Andrew went back to Hong Kong after leaving Civic Orchestra and taught violin in various secondary and primary schools, and in the Music Office. He also performed in several orchestras including the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Strings, and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. Since relocating to Canada, he has maintained a busy teaching schedule in the GTA area. Andrew is currently the concertmaster of the Milton Philharmonic Orchestra and the OCMS Symphony Orchestra.
