Kenneth Kuo

CELLO

Hailed by the Sydney Morning Harold as a “cellist with great facility and confidence”, and Strings magazine as a cellist “with effortless technique, a beautiful, warm tone, and an unabashedly romantic soul”, Kenneth Kuo is rapidly establishing an international reputation as one of the top cellists of his generation.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Kuo began his cello studies at the age of four, and by eight won the first of three consecutive Taipei Youth Cello Competition awards. In 1986 he enrolled in the Preparatory Division at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Marion Feldman. He continued his studies with Harvey Shapiro at The Juilliard School, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. In 1997, Kuo enrolled at Yale University where he studied with Aldo Parisot. Upon graduating with a Master’s of Music degree, he received the Aldo Parisot Prize in recognition of his achievements while at Yale.

Kuo has performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas in such venues as Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, Tschaikovsky Hall in Moscow, Taiwan National Concert Hall, and Sydney Town Hall with such artists as Pierre Boulez, Itzhak Perlman, Aldo Parisot, and Erick Friedman. In January, 2000, he was invited to play for President Lee of Taiwan, and has been invited every year to represent musicians for the 9/11 Memorials in Connecticut by Governor Jodi Rell. Aside from his classical performances, Kuo has also recorded two albums for Jingo Records of Taiwan, The Memories of Boom Mi Pon and Splended Adventure . Both albums were nominated for “Best Crossover Instrumental Album” by the Golden Music Awards in Taiwan. His latest album, The Sky You Decide, recorded on Virgin Records, was featured on Taiwan’s San Li television studio for its Discovery, Food, and History Channels. Kuo’s crossover work also includes collaborations with numerous Asian pop superstars and independent pop and folk artists from around the world.

Along with being the Founder and President of The Connecticut School of Music in Westport and Greenwich, Kuo is also the creator of the Connecticut Musical Artists Foundation, a non-profit organization which assists students with musical and financial needs. He has held positions at Yale University, Taiwan National Teachers College, Thames Valley Music School in Connecticut College, Ithaca Violoncello Institute, University Antonio Nanino in Colombia and the New England Music Camp. Kuo is also the Director of Classical Music Services, a chamber music management agency.