Patricia Shih

Described by her legendary mentor Josef Gingold as “one of the greatest talents that I have ever taught. Her great technique, inborn musicianship, sense of style and virtuosity are unequalled”, Patricia Shih is one of the most unique and outstanding violinists working internationally today. Patricia has also been privileged to study with Rostislav Dubinsky, Sandor Vegh, Denes Zsigmondy and Lise Elson. Patricia’s virtuosity and unrivalled artistry has made her one of the most versatile and extraordinary musicians available to leading classical music groups of several generations. Patricia’s professional achievements reveal the great range of consistently outstanding musical collaborations she has engaged in. She has performed as soloist in some of the world’s great venues including the Carnegie Hall in New York, Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, Wigmore Hall in London, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Liszt Akademy Hall in Budapest, and the Roy Thompson in Toronto amongst many others, and has received rave reviews for her magnificent performances often comparing her to some of the great violinists of the past. Patricia’s significant international concert career under the mentorship of the great Rostislav Dubinsky (Borodin Quartet) and on his introduction to his personal manager Mariedi Anders Artists Management, has toured internationally both as recitalist and as soloist with many leading orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, the Halle Orchestra, the Orchestra Bretagne, the Toronto Symphony, the Mexico National Symphony, the Singapore Symphony and the Polish National Radio Orchestra. Born in Canada, Patricia made her first public debut at the age of 4 performing the Bach Violin Concerto in Bellingham, Washington. At an early age, Patricia won the Grand Prize at both the CIBC National Music Competition in Canada and the Seattle Young Artists Competition in the USA. Patricia also received the highest honour and award amongst all instrumentalists for three consecutive years in the Canadian Music Competition, a feat that was never achieved by anyone since. By the age of 14, Patricia became a pupil of the legendary Josef Gingold at Indiana University. In less than a year, she made a highly acclaimed debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall playing the Wieniawski Concerto No.1, a concert arranged especially for her by Prof. Gingold. Patricia was also the only student chosen by Prof.Gingold to perform for his 75th birthday celebration on national television for the Charles Kuralt Show viewed by millions across America. As the youngest finalist at the age of 15, Patricia received a Special Prize at the International Wieniawski Competition in Poland and was a laureate at the International Kreisler Competition in Vienna. She was also awarded the International Sommerakademie Mozarteum prize in Salzburg, Austria and in her native Canada, was honoured with the prestigious Sylva Gelber Foundation Award for the most outstanding Canadian musician under age 30. In the media, she has been broadcast both on TV and radio innumerable times. Her recordings and videos have also been viewed on the Classic FM Channel in Europe. Patricia is a founding member and 1st violinist of Canada’s foremost Borealis String Quartet, formed in Vancouver, BC and has toured for the past extensively for over two decades in renowned concert halls worldwide. Patricia’s passion of teaching is realized by reaching out to countless number of local school students by coaching individuals, giving masterclasses and working with the school orchestras. She also performs charity concerts for many causes including Children in Need, the Red Cross and Tsunami Relief amongst others. Patricia was recently honoured as a “Distinguished Fellow of BC” for the applauded presentations and lectures given as a Visiting Scholar at Green College@ UBC. The Borealis is endorsed by Pirastro Strings and are ambassadors for the famed string company. On the Biography Channel, “Patricia Shih, a half hour documentary” was aired across North America. In addition, Patricia was on the Top 12 list of influential women in the Arts in Texas. Patricia alternately plays on a 1740 Paolo Antonio Testore made in Milan, a 1767 Ferdinand Gagliano violin made in Naples, and a 1990 Joseph Nagyvary violin. Patricia is currently, Associate Professor of Violin at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.