Praised for his “immaculately refined” playing (The Philadelphia Inquirer), violist Born Lau has appeared internationally as a soloist, chamber musician and principal violist. A prizewinner of the Primrose International Viola Competition and the Astral National Auditions, he enjoys a career spanning three continents. Career highlights include performances as a soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Trondheim Soloists, performance at the Henry A. Kissinger Prize ceremony in Berlin, and a concert with the esteemed Tokyo String Quartet in Los Angeles. Lau has served as Principal Violist of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, as well as Guest Principal Violist of San Diego Symphony, Curtis Symphony Orchestra, and Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lau received his education from the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Colburn Conservatory of Music. He has studied with viola teachers including Roberto Diaz, Paul Coletti and Richard Fleischman. Chamber music studies with members of the Emerson, Guarneri and Tokyo String Quartets.
As an educator, Lau has given viola master classes throughout the world, including the Royal Academy of Music, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Soochow University, the New World School of the Arts, Washington Conservatory of Music, and the Hong Kong Baptist University. He is currently the Distinguished Professor of Viola at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
