Kelsey Cai

Born in China, I began studying the yangqin (Chinese dulcimer) at the age of six under the guidance of Professor Yongkang Gan at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. I am a member of both the Hubei Musicians Association and the China Nationalities Orchestra Society, and have served as an examiner for yangqin grade examinations organized by the Hubei Musicians Association. In Canada, I have adjudicated for the OMFA Provincial Music Festival and Beckettfest, where I also presented masterclasses for aspiring musicians.

As a performer, I have appeared as a soloist across Europe, North America, and Asia, and have presented masterclasses in China. I was honored to represent the Wuhan University–Université Paris Diderot cultural exchange program as the featured yangqin soloist in Paris, France.

Beyond solo performance, I have taken on leadership roles with several prominent Chinese orchestras. I served as President of the Wuhan University Chinese Orchestra (2005), a large ensemble of over 40 musicians; the Waterloo Chinese Orchestra (2014) and the Grand River Chinese Orchestra (2019), both mid-sized community ensembles. I also assist in directing rehearsals and performances for LAMA’s Intergen Ensemble, mentoring young musicians and fostering ensemble collaboration.

I am an accomplished accompanist in both Chinese and Western music, with extensive experience supporting soloists and ensembles. In Chinese music, I provide accompaniment for erhu, bamboo flute, and guzheng solos, as well as Chinese opera, enhancing both vocal lines and dramatic performance. I also accompany percussion instruments such as drums, gongs, and cymbals, enriching rhythm, texture, and musical expression. In Western music, I have accompanied cellists, violinists, flutists, and pianists performing Chinese repertoire, and have performed continuo parts on the harpsichord for Baroque works.

I actively collaborate with musicians across diverse traditions, including cellists, violinists, flutists, and pianists, exploring innovative cross-cultural repertoire that bridges Chinese traditional music and Western classical styles. My teaching and accompaniment experiences equip me to guide students and ensemble musicians in both technical mastery and expressive performance, fostering artistic growth and meaningful musical collaboration.