Mr. Shieh-Jian Tsai has been a member of the 2nd violin section with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra since 2004, and has served as concertmaster of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.  He has participated in festivals where he performed under renowned Maestros, with colleagues from around the world.  In Fall of 2007, Mr. Tsai was invited on tour with the Verbier Festival Orchestra under direction of Maestro Jiri Belohlavek, piano soloists Yundi Lee and Lang Lang, performing in major concert halls in Europe and South America.

A native of Taipei, Taiwan, Mr. Tsai began playing the violin at age 6.  He received his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Master of Music in Violin Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston, MA.  His principle teachers include Mr. Gerardo Ribeiro, Mr. Sherban Lupu, and Ms. Masuko Ushioda.

After winning their 5th violin concerto competition, Mr. Tsai was a featured soloist with the Taiwan Strings Orchestra performing Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in D minor, and made his debut at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.  As an active soloist, Mr. Tsai performs regularly with the Camerata di San’t Antonio and Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra.  He made WNY premiere of Jean Sibelius’ Suite for Violin and String Orchestra, and the Violin Concerto by Alexander Arutiunian.

A devoted chamber musician, Mr. Tsai has been invited to Musicorda, Sarasota, and Tanglewood Music Festivals.  He is a member of the Buffalo Chamber Players, and has been a guest artist at A Musical Feast at the Burchfield Penny Art Center, Chamber Music on Elmwood, Chamber Music Society of Olean, Akron Summer Music Festival and the Northwestern Oklahoma State University.