Biography

As the Gold medalist of China National Violin Competition in 1997 at the age of 15, Hongyi Mo was invited to premiere composer Chang-Yuan Liu’s “Psalm Concerto for Violin and Orchestra” as soloist with Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra under China’s first female conductor, Maestro Zheng Xiaoyin (郑小瑛), and released a commercial recording of the concerto with the China National Youth Orchestra under conductor Yu Feng (俞峰), president of the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music. He was soon invited as a guest artist at the prestigious Diaoyutai State Guesthouse (中南海钓鱼台国宾馆).

Appreciated for his “masterful performance” (Detroit Newsletter), Hongyi Mo has been recognized for his “ability to create a captivating atmosphere” (Musical Instrument). His performance of Eugène Ysaÿe’s complete Six Sonatas for Solo Violin at the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy earned him a 15-minute standing ovation, and praised for his “engaging interpretations and virtuosic command” (La Milano).

Hongyi holds a Master of Music degree from Yale University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, where he was a Phi Kappa Phi honoree. As a longtime member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, one of the top ten orchestras in the U.S., he serves as a violinist and regular Acting Principal Second Violin. Over the course of his tenure, he has performed in over 3,000 concerts and collaborated with world-renowned conductors and artists. He had performed and worked closely with conductor Kurt Masur, violinist and violist Pinchas Zukerman, violinist Viviane Hagner, and violinist Cho-Liang Lin. A highlight of his career includes a notable 2014 collaboration with Maestro Leonard Slatkin, performing Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra. His deep interest in and passion for diverse musical genres has led to special engagements, including serving as the Associate Concertmaster for Andrea Bocelli’s 30th anniversary concert and performing at the Michigan Central Station concert alongside Eminem.

Hongyi’s orchestral performing career began during his studies at the Manhattan School of Music, where he served as concertmaster for both the Chamber Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestra, leading performances at Carnegie Hall and the acclaimed “Manhattan Takes Manhattan” event, which was featured in The New York Times. He has also held concertmaster positions with the Bowdoin Festival Orchestra and the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble, and was concertmaster of the China National Youth Orchestra during his early years.

As a chamber musician, Hongyi has worked extensively with the internationally renowned Tokyo String Quartet and members of the American String Quartet. He has toured with acclaimed violinist Cho-Liang Lin, performed with numerous esteemed ensembles worldwide, and regularly collaborates with his colleagues from the Detroit Symphony.

As a passionate educator, Hongyi has made significant contributions to violin pedagogy. He currently serves as a lecturer for Lin Yaoji’s Teaching Method Promotion Platform (林耀基教学法推广平台). He has previously taught at the University of Michigan School of Music and has been a guest artist and masterclass instructor at the Interlochen Arts Academy Summer Festival, Beijing Capital Normal University, and the National Conservatory of Music in the Dominican Republic. His students have earned top prizes in national-level competitions in the US, gained acceptance into prestigious programs and schools like the Manhattan School of Music’s Orchestral Program, the University of Michigan School of Music, and secured positions in internationally renowned ensembles, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Hongyi’s artistic development has been profoundly shaped by his studies with distinguished teachers, beginning with the highly respected violin pedagogue Yaoji Lin (林耀基) in Beijing Central Conservatory of Music. He also trained under Glenn Dicterow, former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic; Lisa Kim, Associate Principal Second Violin of the New York Philharmonic; and David Halen, concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony. Additionally, he worked closely with David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra; David Chan, concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; and Martin Chalifour, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His artistic growth was further enriched through interactions with world-renowned soloists such as Salvatore Accardo and Gérard Poulet, as well as esteemed pedagogue Kurt Sassmannshaus.

His latest collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Alan Bise on his debut recording, Scent of Poulenc, for classical music label Azica Records, is set to be released in August 2025.

Hongyi performs on a violin crafted by the renowned French-German luthier Stephan von Baehr.