Born in 1999, Chinese-American cellist Haddon Kay is one of the young rising stars of his generation, capturing audiences with his lyricism and musical eloquence. Haddon first gained recognition when he became a finalist for the Chicago Symphony Young Artist Competition and performed the Barber Cello Concerto with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. The following summer, he became the principal cellist of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas for an international tour in Asia.

Most recently, Haddon captured third prize in Bucharest, Romania at the 2024 George Enescu International Cello Competition. He was selected as the 2024 Luminarts Fellow in Classical Strings and was awarded the 2023 American Opera Society of Chicago Scholarship Award. Additionally, Haddon competed in the 2nd Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium and was a winner of Northwestern University’s Concerto/Aria competition, after which he performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Victor Yampolsky. In 2016, he was the first place winner in the strings division in the Walgreens Concerto Competition. In 2015, Haddon was the selected soloist for the New North Shore Chamber Orchestra, winner of the DePaul Concerto Competition, and performed with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.

A dedicated chamber musician, Haddon is a founding member of the Galvin Cello Quartet, formed in 2021 at the Bienen School of Music, which recently won Concert Artists Guild’s 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition and the silver medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition. The Galvin Quartet continues to regularly tour in concerts around the United States. Haddon has appeared at Music@Menlo, Bravo!Vail, and the Meadowmount School of Music. He has worked with many notable musicians such as David Finckel, Wu Han, Gilbert Kalish, Arnaud Sussman, Shmuel Ashkenazi, and the Dover Quartet. Haddon also performs regularly with members of the Lyric Opera of Chicago through the Rembrandt Chamber Musicians. He has also won 1st prizes at the Rembrandt and Discover Chamber Music Competitions with various groups. As the cellist of those ensembles he has also appeared on National Public Radio’s From the Top and on Chicago radio’s WFMT Introductions.

Born and raised in the Chicago area, Haddon is a graduate of Northwestern University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 2022 and his Master’s Degree in 2024. Haddon is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Northwestern, continuing his studies under the tutelage of Hans Jorgen Jensen. Haddon has also studied with Jens Peter Maintz, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, and Clive Greensmith through the Kronberg Masterclasses and the Vivace Music Foundation.

In addition to playing the cello, Haddon is an avid volleyball player and was on Northwestern University’s men’s club volleyball team.

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Music Sep 2018 – June 2022

• Cello Performance – 3.8 GPA

Northwestern University

Master of Music Sep 2022 – June 2024

• Cello Performance – 4.0 GPA
• Eckstein Scholarship – Full scholar in tuition

AWARDS AND HONORS

George Enescu International Competition – 3rd Prize September 2024
Bucharest, Romania

Luminarts Fellow in Classical Strings – 1st Prize March 2024
Chicago, Illinois

Kronberg Masterclasses October 2022
o Studied with Jens Peter Maintz 

Queen Elisabeth International Cello Competition – Quarterfinalist May 2022
Brussels, Belgium

• Most prestigious international cello competition. One of sixty-eight competitors chosen past the preliminary round.

 Victor Elmaleh National Competition – 1st Prize May 2022

• Winner of Concert Artists Guild’s national competition. Winners receive professional and exclusive national and international management.

Fischoff National Competition – Silver Medal May 2021
South Bend, Indiana

• Winner of leading national chamber music competition, open to all instruments and countries. 

Northwestern University Concerto/Aria Competition – 1st Prize May 2021
Evanston, IL

• Winner of Northwestern University’s internal competition, open to all instruments.

 American Opera Society Scholarship Award – 1st Prize March 2023

WORK EXPERIENCE

The Galvin Cello Quartet February 2021-Present

• Co-founder and member of professionally managed cello quartet, represented exclusively through Concert Artists Guild.

Guest artist and teacher at Bravo!Vail Music Festival July 2023
Vail, Colorado

• Performed a series of concerts and taught students at Vail’s annual music festival

Guest artist and teacher at Ascent International Cello Festival July 2023
Cincinnati, Ohio

• Performed a concert and taught students at Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music

 Teacher’s assistant at Meadowmount School of Music June - August 2022

• TA for Professor Hans Jorgen Jensen. Scheduled and taught lessons and technique group classes

 Rembrandt Chamber Musicians Jan 2023 - Present

• Appeared as guest artist for Rembrandt Chamber Musicians who are all associated with the Lyric Opera of Chicago