Timothy Chooi

Internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi, (pronounced “Chewy”), continues to mesmerize global audiences with his electrifying performances and profound musical interpretations. Renowned for his passionate renditions and extensive repertoire, Chooi has cultivated a vast following, with millions of viewers captivated by his artistry both on stage and across digital platforms.

Chooi first burst onto the international scene by securing First Prize at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, Germany, and later earned Second Prize at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth International Competition. His accolades include the highly coveted Yves Paternot Prize from the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. These achievements have led to performances with top-tier orchestras, including the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Belgian National Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Wiener Concert-Verein. His appearances at iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Musikverein Wien, Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and London’s Royal Albert Hall have garnered him critical acclaim.

The upcoming touring season promises to be a thrilling chapter in Chooi’s career. He is set to collaborate with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring Emmy Award nominee composer Brian Tyler. He will also make his highly anticipated return to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

Chooi’s music is broadcasted globally on prestigious stations, and in 2023, he recorded with Anne-Sophie Mutter and Mutter’s Virtuosi for Deutsche Grammophon. His performance with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra was featured on Medici TV, and his work has been aired on NPO Radio Klassiek Amsterdam, WQXR New York, RTBF Belgium, Swiss Public Radio, CBC Radio Canada, Deutschlandfunk Kultur, and Danish Public Radio.

Born in Canada, Chooi’s multicultural heritage includes Chinese, Indonesian and Malaysian roots. His journey began at the age of sixteen, with a debut performance with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal) that launched his career on the global stage. Inspired by his older brother, Nikki Chooi, Timothy has since established himself as one of the leading violinists of his generation.

In addition to his performance career, Chooi is deeply committed to the art of teaching. As the Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa, he is recognized not only for his virtuosic playing but also for his dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Chooi is celebrated for his innovative teaching methods, which combine traditional techniques with contemporary approaches to violin performance. His students have benefited from his unique perspective as an active performer on the world stage, gaining insights into both the technical and artistic aspects of playing. Under his mentorship, many of his students have gone on to win prestigious competitions and secure positions in leading orchestras worldwide. Chooi’s contributions to the academic community have made him a respected figure in the field of music education, where he continues to influence and inspire through masterclasses, workshops, and personalized instruction.

Timothy Chooi performs on a distinguished collection of violins, including the 1741 “Titan” Guarneri del Gesù, on loan from Canimex of Drummondville, Québec since 2023; the 1709 “Engleman” Stradivarius, provided by the Nippon Music Foundation in Japan; and the 1761 Landolfi violin, which is endowed to him as the Professor of Violin at the University of Ottawa.