About

Nicholas, a native of Hong Kong, is a cellist in the United States. He received the award of a Diploma in FTCL cello recital at the age of 14. Besides, Nicholas received professional orchestral and music training from Maestro Ho Man Choi in the Pro Arte Orchestra of Hong Kong for more than ten years and collaborated with Maestro Jahja Ling in 2018 as the Principal Cellist for multiple seasons.

Nicholas has studied with Mr. Laurence Lesser (Walter W. Naumburg faculty chair, The New England Conservatory) and has reached a stage of solid technique and free musical interpretation. His former college teacher, Mr. Alan Rafferty (Ruth A. Rosevear cello chair of CSO), helped him break through the tradition and limitations to explore a new world in solo performance. Moreover, Nicholas has studied with Guy Fishman for baroque performances and participated in concert series of the Pratt Residency program at the New England Conservatory. Enriching the study of cello, Nicholas has participated in masterclasses from renowned cellists, Hans Jensen, Amit Peled, MingChing Yu, Mr. Sung-Won Yang, Mr. Zhao Yao, and Mr. Amir Eldan. Moreover, Nicholas has worked with renowned cellists XiaoMu Fang (Co-Principal Cello of the HK Phil), Robert deMaine, Joel Krosnick, and Natasha Brofsky in private lessons to further explore other aspects of his performance.

Nicholas has won different awards through various music competitions, including prize-winners of the Hellam competition, and semi-finalists of multiple international competitions, such as the Koussevitzky Competition. Nicholas was awarded the Nancy F. Walker Scholarship from Matinee Musicale Cincinnati, and the Drs. Frederick A. and Elizabeth M. Specht scholarship from Tuesday Musical Association. Before entering college, he was also the champion in the intermediate and senior cello music competitions with honor certificates in the HKSMF (Hong Kong School Music Festival). In addition, he received the 1st prize in the 2nd Hong Kong International Music Festival and was invited to perform his winning solo repertoire, Crumbs Sonata for Solo Cello, publicly in Tsuen Wan Town Hall. TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited in Hong Kong) also invited Nicholas to record his performance for a music television show in 2016.

Nicholas has been very active in chamber music. He was awarded 1st prize in the George Gershwin International Piano Competition 2022 Chamber Ensembles division, and was part of the Chamber Music Seminar of the Heifetz International Music Institute 2022. Performing newly commissioned piece “Shimmer” in the Celebrity Series Concerts and Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” quartet in the Heifetz Institute, Mendelssohn Octet in Great Wall International Music Academy in Beijing, Shostakovich Piano Quintet at Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Britten's Phantasy in Cincinnati, Young Artist's Chamber Festival and being part of the Musicus Soloists of Hong Kong are highlights of his active participation in chamber music.

Nicholas previously attended CCM (College-Conservatory of Music) with three scholarships for his Bachelor’ degree. He won the CCM Cello Concerto Competition in February 2019 in his freshman year. He then performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto in 2019 with the CCM Orchestra in a public concert under the baton of Ken Lam. He was also a winner of the Concerto Competition of HKYO was also invited to perform Dvorak's Cello Concerto in October with Hong Kong Youth Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Leung Kin Fung marking his first debut in Hong Kong. Nicholas is currently performing on the William Forster cello, on loan from the New England Conservatory.

Nicholas Tsang is currently pursuing his Graduate Diploma degree in Cello Performance with Mr. Lluis Claret with the Dean’s Merit scholarship from the New England Conservatory of Music.