Biography

Recognized for her “rare capacity to project a totally distinctive and fascinating intellect” (Spokesman Review) and easy virtuosity...humor, nuance ... [and] playful[ness]” (Cleveland Classical), American violinist Karisa Chiu is the Gold Medalist of the 12th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. She first came to international prominence with her first prize win at the 2021 Isangyun Violin Competition, leading to her debut with the KBS Symphony Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. Karisa has since gone on to solo in some of the most renowned concert halls around the world such as Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall, Severance Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the Casals Forum with ensembles such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Munich Radio Orchestra, Spokane Symphony, Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, and Asheville Symphony. A top prize winner at the Singapore, Menuhin, Leopold Mozart, and Irving M. Klein Competitions, Karisa continues to earn recognition for her expressive depth and technical command.

Raised in a musical family, Karisa began her studies at age two with her father, Cornelius Chiu, a first violinist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She collaborates frequently with her mother and uncle, pianists Inah Chiu and Frederic Chiu. The Chiu family has given annual concerts for two decades at the Festival of the Arts at Mohonk Mountain House. She released her debut album Home this fall on Cedille Records with pianist Zhu Wang, earning praise for its warmth and deeply personal storytelling. In an exploration of the definition of belonging, the album traces her musical journey through the lens of family and the ties that have shaped her.

In addition to her solo career, Karisa is a passionate chamber musician. She is co-director of the Plymouth Chamber Players, an innovative chamber music collective that inspires new audiences through world-class concerts and supports young artists in the West Michigan area. Karisa has collaborated with esteemed musicians such as Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson, Itamar Golan, Kathryn Brown, Todd Phillips, Ida Kavafian, and Colin Carr. She has been featured in chamber music festivals around the globe including the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, and Music from Angel Fire.

Karisa holds an Artist Diploma at the Juilliard School, a Master’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music. Her mentors include pedagogues Donald Weilerstein, Catherine Cho, Mark Steinberg, Jaime Laredo, Malcolm Lowe, Ida Kavafian, and Almita Vamos.