About

Hello!! I’m May, a Chinese-Canadian violinist emerging as both a classical and jazz musician, making my mark on the vibrant New York music scene. After graduating with honors in Violin Performance from the University of Toronto, I completed my graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music, where I received the President’s Award under the guidance of Lucy Robert.

I’m also diving deeper into jazz violin under the mentorship of Regina Carter, driven by my enthusiasm for this vibrant genre. I’ve performed everywhere from the big halls of Dizzy’s Club and the Apollo Theater to small, intimate house concerts — playing many different genres to fit exactly what you’re looking for.

Music

I usually play a mix anywhere from classical, jazz, pop, folk, and free improvisation — chamber, orchestra, solo, duo, trio, or with backing tracks. My training has been classical since the age of 4. I studied at the University of Toronto under Erika Raum and at the Manhattan School of Music under Lucy Robert, so I love performing works by Bach, Beach, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and contemporary composers such as Jessie Montgomery as well.

Alongside that, I study jazz violin with Regina Carter, which deeply influences how I phrase, listen, and improvise. I enjoy blending traditions — from standard repertoire to folk-inspired works, modern classical, and spontaneous improvisation. I’ve performed at 100+ events across many different styles of music, as you could imagine! My goal is to play things that fit the vibe and make people feel good while listening. My sound is deeply influenced by Sarah Caswell, Miles Davis, Stéphane Grappelli, and of course, my teacher, Regina Carter! :)

Photos