Rey Kao

Starting violin at the age of 5, Rey Kao is currently pursuing a degree in violin performance at the New England Conservatory under the guidance of Ayano Ninomiya. He has participated in masterclasses with renowned violinists such as Shlomo Mintz, Martin Chalifour, Hagai Shaham, and Chin Kim. Rey placed 2nd in the state finale of the MTAC VOCE competition, earned the Grand Prize at the Satori Summer Music Competition, and received both a scholarship and first prize at the Callie McGrath Solo Competition. He has also won numerous awards at the Bach Festival, SYMF, and MTAC Concerto Competitions.

Rey’s chamber group secured 3rd place at the Junior Chamber Competition and was honored as “Debut Artist,” leading to an invitation to tour South Korea, Italy, and Germany. Additionally, he was an active member of Bonding truBeats, a non-profit, student-led music organization that performed at various community venues and private events.

With years of experience teaching young children, Rey is skilled in training basic techniques, developing musical abilities, and fostering technical growth. He has also coached high school students, preparing them for recordings, orchestral auditions, and college auditions.