David Chan

David Chan is an American violinist, conductor, and a concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He is one of the most sought-after violinists of his generation. He is a prizewinner at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, among many others. As a conductor, Chan is praised for his deep understanding of the music and interpretive depth.

It was announced in April 2025 that Chan will be leaving the Met to become professor of violin at Rice University.

Early life and education Chan was born to a Taiwanese American family in San Diego, California. His parents, both Taiwanese immigrants, met as graduate students at Stanford University.

Chan began his musical education at age 3, when his parents enrolled him in a violin class. His principal teachers were Dorothy DeLay, Hyo Kang and Michael Tseitlin. He won the 5th prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, and the third place bronze medal (with $10,000) and Josef Gingold Prize at the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.

Career He made his New York debut in on October 2, 1995, playing Paganini's Concerto no. 2 with the Juilliard orchestra led by Hugh Wolff.

He has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and the Far East, appearing as soloist with such orchestras as the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, the Aspen Chamber Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. He has released two recordings: a recital album and a disc of two Paganini concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra, both for the Ambassador label.

He has been a frequent guest at Japan's Pacific Music Festival, the Taipei Music Academy and Festival, the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, and La Jolla's SummerFest.

With the Met Chamber Ensemble, he has played in Alban Berg's Chamber Concerto for Piano and Violin with 13 Wind Instruments, Richard Strauss's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme suite, Olivier Messiaen's Quatuor pour la fin du temps and other works, classical and contemporary.

He joined the faculty of the Juilliard School in 2005.

He can be heard on the soundtrack of the films Teeth and The Caller.

In the fall of 2025 he will be on sabbatical from the Met, moving to Houston and taking up the position of professor of violin at Rice University while winding down his duties at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music.

Wine After marrying his wife, violinist and Met colleague Catherine Ro,

Personal life Chan and his wife, violinist Catherine Ro, live in the New York area.

Discography David Chan: La Campanella Beethoven: Violin Concerto (Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, David Bernard, conductor) Great Duos For Violin And Cello (with Rafael Figueroa, cellist)