Ming Gao, Associate Concertmaster
Louise and Henry Leander Chair
Ming Gao has served as concertmaster of the Nanjing Experimental Orchestra in his native China and of the Eastman Philharmonia at the Heidelberg Castle Festival in Germany. He has also served as acting concertmaster of the Youngstown and Harrisburg symphony orchestras and the MOSSPAC Chamber Orchestra. During the summer months, Ming is a first violinist in the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in New York, and he has also served as the acting associate concertmaster from the 2018 to 2022 seasons.
Before joining the Naples Philharmonic in 1993, Ming performed with the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestra. He also appeared in music festivals in the United States, Germany and China, including Sunflower Music Festival, Pine Mountain Music Festival, Buzzards Bay Musicfest, MOSSPAC Music Festival, Heidelberg Castle Festival and the Spring of Xuanwu Hu Festival.
Over the years, Ming has been invited back to China many times to give chamber music recitals in Nanjing, Wuxi, Zhenjiang, Suzhou and Beijing. Some of these concerts were broadcast live by Jiang Su Provincial TV station and CCTV (China national television station). In addition, he has recorded solo and chamber music for the Nanjing radio and television stations, Jiangsu Provincial radio and television stations and QRS Music Rolls, Inc. He was also given the title of guest professor of violin at the Nanjing Conservatory of Music, offering violin master classes in China.
As a soloist, Ming has appeared with the Naples Philharmonic, Orchestra Nova, Nanjing Experimental Orchestra and Jiangsu Provincial Symphony Orchestra, among others, performing a repertoire including Chen Gang’s Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor and Paganini’s Concerto in D Major.
”
The facts:
I am originally from Nanjing, China. I joined the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1993-94 season.
What has been your most memorable moment with the orchestra?
My most memorable moment with the orchestra was performing the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto as a soloist.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Music has always been a source of peace and harmony since childhood.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
Making great music with great colleagues.
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
Tuning.
What are your favorite compositions?
It is impossible to say; it varies so often.
What have you been listening to recently?
Chamber music.
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
No.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Watching movies, house renovation, ping pong and collecting antiques.