Hometown:
Bakersfield, California
Education:
California State University – Long Beach, B.M. Violin Performance, 2025.
Bio:
Brian Shih is currently a 3rd year undergraduate at California State University – Long Beach (CSULB) studying Violin Performance under Moni Simeonov. He has subbed for the American Youth Symphony, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, and is currently a member of the Bob Cole Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and University String Quartet at CSULB. He had spent his summers at Bakersfield International Music Festival and National Orchestral Institute + Festival.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Attending Nobuyuki Tsujii's performance of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra gave me the first inspiration for me to pursue being a professional musician back when I was in elementary school. Since then, the instruction, support, and encouragement of my first violin teacher, Ms. Elvira Arambula, motivated me to fully embrace the path to becoming a professional musician in pursuing a Music Performance degree after high school.
Who are your all-time favorite composers and/or pieces? Why?
Camille Saint-Saëns, Johannes Brahms, Ernest Bloch
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I have a dog that never barks unless he hears me practicing. He greets people by walking up to them with his hind legs.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I like tinkering with technology, ranging from assembling keyboards, desktops, and gamepads to refurbishing or modifying audio equipment and appreciating the differences of sound profiles from various audio gear.
Why did you choose the NRO?
Ever since hearing about NRO from my friends and alumni, I've always wanted to experience their stories of growth and meeting high class musicians from around the world for myself. I am also very grateful that NRO is a festival that I can afford to attend. I look forward to maturing as a musician through the expansive repertoire, working with world-class conductors, meeting new friends, and exploring Breckenridge for the first time.