Kyle Tsai, age 16 and a junior at The DeBakey High School in Houston, has studied clarinet since age 11 and is currently under the tutelage of Alexander Potiomkin and Chest Rowell. A member of the Houston Youth Symphony since age 12, Kyle has earned several recognitions for his clarinet performance, include the 3rd place winner of the Symphony North of Houston Young Artist Concerto Competition in 2019, 2nd place winner of the Juanita Miller Concerto Competition (Wind & Brass) in 2019, 1st place winner of the Clear Lake Symphony Youth Concerto Competition (Junior Wind Division) in 2018, TMEA 6A All-State High-School Symphonic Band in 2018, finalist of the Symphony North of Houston Young Artist Concerto Competition in 2017, TMEA Region Middle School Symphonic Band (2015, 2016), and Outstanding Soloist in UIL Solo & Ensemble consecutively from 2014 to 2019. He has won merit-based scholarships to attend the 6-week Interlochen High-School Orchestra in 2018. In addition to being an avid clarinetist, Kyle has also been playing piano since age 5 and has won first prizes in the Blinn College Piano Solo Competition (2017), Houston Music Teachers Association (HMTA) Concerto Competition (2015), HMTA Baroque Competition (2015), Fort Bend Music Festival (2013), HMTA Piano Solo Competitions (2010, 2012), Sherman Clay Piano Festival (2011), and as well as many 2nd and 3rd prizes. Kyle has performed on-stage with the Fort Bend Symphonic Orchestra as a featured piano soloist at age 12 and the Clear Lake Symphony as a clarinet soloist at age 14. Academically, Kyle is a straight-A student with a strong aptitude for double major in Music and Science. In his free time, Kyle enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, listening to music, trying new cuisine, and world traveling.
