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Canadian violinist Nikki Chooi cements his place at the helm of the Buffalo Philharmonic, bringing homegrown artistry to an international stage.
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) is putting its faith in Canadian talent for the long haul. Violinist Nikki Chooi, born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, has signed a five-year contract extension to remain the orchestra’s concertmaster through the 2030–31 season. The announcement secures the leadership of one of Canada’s most distinguished violinists at the helm of a major American orchestra for more than a decade.
A Canadian talent on the international stage
For many Canadians, Chooi’s name is already a familiar one. A prodigy from Vancouver Island, he began violin lessons at just four years old through the Suzuki program at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. By the age of nine, he was studying under the mentorship of Canadian violinist Sydney Humphreys. Just a year later, Chooi made his orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, he performed Haydn’s Violin Concerto in C Major at Toronto’s Glenn Gould Studio, in a concert broadcast nationwide on CBC Radio.
These early milestones cemented his place as one of Canada’s most promising young musicians. Over the years, he collected top prizes at national competitions including the Canadian National Music Festival and the Montreal Symphony’s Manulife Competition, before stepping onto the international stage. In 2013, he won first prize at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in New Zealand, following earlier successes at the Klein International Strings Competition in San Francisco and recognition at both the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium and the famed Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition in Moscow.
Despite his increasingly international profile, Chooi has remained a proud ambassador of Canadian artistry. He has returned often to perform with Canadian ensembles including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Calgary Philharmonic, and The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. He also performs regularly with his younger brother, Timothy Chooi, who is carving out his own career as a violin star.
A leader in Buffalo
Chooi joined the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019 under music director JoAnn Falletta. The role of concertmaster—the lead violinist who serves as a musical bridge between conductor and orchestra—is one of the most visible and demanding positions in any symphony. In the past six years, Chooi has left a lasting impression on both audiences and his fellow musicians.
Among the standout moments of his tenure so far was a surprise encore with superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 2023, when the two performed a duet to cap off Ma’s Buffalo appearance. He was also featured as a soloist at Carnegie Hall during the orchestra’s 2022 Centennial Celebration of Lukas Foss, a landmark event for the BPO. Recording projects have included albums for both Naxos Records and Beau Fleuve Records, the latter featuring Chooi’s performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in 2021.
In 2024, he led the inaugural BPO UpClose concert, an innovative in-the-round performance without a conductor, designed to bring audiences closer to the music-making process.
Reflecting on his contract extension, Chooi said: “I’m truly excited to continue my journey with the BPO. It’s a privilege to make music alongside JoAnn, my wonderful colleagues, and to share these experiences with our incredible Buffalo community.”
He also expressed excitement about upcoming projects, including performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto during the BPO’s Beethoven Festival in October 2025, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and a tour to Florida featuring Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
Praised by colleagues
Music director JoAnn Falletta described Chooi’s impact in glowing terms: “Nikki has been an exemplary leader, a deeply inspiring musician, and a great colleague, and he is loved by our entire Philharmonic family. Nikki has distinguished himself by his superb performances as a soloist, chamber player and concertmaster, and his influence has helped the Buffalo Philharmonic attain an unprecedented level of artistic achievement.”
Her comments underscore Chooi’s dual role: not only a soloist of international calibre, but also a trusted leader who inspires and unifies an orchestra from within.
Beyond Buffalo
Chooi’s career extends well beyond western New York. He has also served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York—one of the most prestigious posts in the orchestral world—and currently holds the same position with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. As a guest concertmaster, he has been invited to lead the Boston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Houston Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and the Macao Orchestra, a testament to his versatility and international reputation.
His artistry has taken him to recital halls and festivals across the globe, including Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, the Vancouver Recital Series, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Marlboro Music Festival. In Europe, he has performed at the Dresden and Moritzburg festivals, as well as touring with Musicians from Marlboro.
Despite this busy global schedule, Chooi has stayed connected to Canadian audiences, often returning for concerto appearances and chamber music collaborations.
A proud Canadian identity
For Chooi, the extension of his contract with the BPO represents more than professional stability; it’s an opportunity to further amplify Canadian artistry on the international stage. Born to Indonesian-Chinese parents in Victoria, he embodies the multicultural identity that defines much of Canada’s artistic community. His training in Canadian institutions such as the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary, and the National Arts Centre’s Young Artists Programme laid the groundwork for his international career.
His achievements add to a long line of Canadian violinists who have made their mark globally, from the legendary James Ehnes to younger talents like his brother Timothy. Chooi himself has become a role model for young Canadian musicians, demonstrating how a foundation built in Canada can lead to success in the most competitive corners of the classical music world.
Looking ahead
With his contract secured through 2031, Chooi is poised to continue shaping the sound and spirit of the Buffalo Philharmonic for years to come. The orchestra’s upcoming programming promises to highlight his virtuosity and leadership, particularly in marquee works such as the Beethoven Violin Concerto.
For Canadian audiences, his success abroad is a source of pride—a reminder that homegrown talent continues to shine brightly on international stages. Whether performing alongside Yo-Yo Ma, leading a major American orchestra, or returning to play with ensembles across Canada, Nikki Chooi remains one of the most compelling ambassadors of Canadian musicianship today.