The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to announce the five-year contract extension of their concertmaster, Canadian violinist Nikki Chooi, securing his continued leadership and artistry through the 2030-31 concert season. Chooi, who joined the BPO as concertmaster in 2019, will continue in the role after his current contract ends on August 31, 2026.
A keystone of the BPO’s string section, Chooi’s past six years in Buffalo have showcased his versatility as a soloist, collaborator, and artistic leader. In addition to performing concertos each year in the Classics series, highlights include joining Yo-Yo Ma in a duet for the encore of Ma’s 2023 appearance with the BPO; performing as a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall in the orchestra’s Centennial Celebration of Lukas Foss in 2022, recorded for a BPO album on Naxos Records; recording Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons for a 2021 BPO album on Beau Fleuve Records; and leading the orchestra in the inaugural “BPO UpClose” concert in 2024, which offered audiences a new perspective with inthe-round seating and an unconducted program.
Music Director JoAnn Falletta shared, “I speak for myself and for our BPO musicians in expressing our joy at Nikki Chooi’s contract extension. 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.”
Chooi remarked, “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. This season I’m especially looking forward to performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and going on tour to Florida with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.”
The orchestra’s upcoming 2025-26 concert season will spotlight Chooi as a featured soloist in their two-weekend Beethoven Festival, with performances in Nikki Plays Beethoven (October 17-18) and Beethoven’s Pastoral (October 24-25).
