MUSICALLY UP CLOSE, Joshua Thai, Violinist, 2026 Emerging Artist Winner

MUSICALLY UP CLOSE with Joshua Thai

Emerging Artists Competition Winner, 2027 College Division

Rhapsody & Reverie

City Hall, City of Panama City

Friday, April 16, 2027, 7:00 pm

Ticketed Event. $50 VIP (includes 2 tickets); $10 General Admission

Violinist Joshua Thai earned top honors at Panama City Symphony’s 2026 Emerging Artists Competition (College Division) with a captivating performance of Korngold’s Violin Concerto. As part of his competition grand prize, Joshua returns to present an intimate recital for the Musically Up Close series after making his guest soloist appearance with the Symphony in February 2027 (With Love, Tchaikovsky).

Joshua is a native of Tucson, Arizona, and has been studying violin since the age of seven. A student of Dr. Katherine McLin at Arizona State University, Joshua made his solo orchestral debut at the age of 11 with the Arizona Symphonic Winds. He has since appeared as a soloist with many other orchestras, including the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, White Mountain Symphony Orchestra, Rocky Ridge Festival Orchestra, and the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra.

Joshua has been a prize winner at many competitions, including the AZMusicFest Chamber Music Competition, WMSO Concerto Competition, RRMC Concerto Competition, COT Youth Concerto Competition, SASO Dorothy Vanek Concerto Competition, TPYO Scholarship Competition, and the Progressive Musicians Competition. As a recitalist, Joshua has made appearances across the United States, including his solo debut in Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.

In performance, Joshua has collaborated with many internationally acclaimed artists, including Kyung Sun Lee and members of the Borromeo and Harlem string quartets. Joshua has also performed in masterclasses for many internationally acclaimed musicians, including Paul Kantor, Paul Huang, Kristopher Tong, Carolyn Huebl, Shannon Thomas, and members of the Miro, Borromeo, and Harlem string quartets.

Throughout the years, Joshua has attended and received scholarships to many prestigious festivals, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, Borromeo Chamber Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute, and Rocky Ridge Music Center. He has also served as concertmaster of the Brevard Sinfonia, ASU Symphony, Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, and the RRMC Festival Orchestra. He currently performs on a c. 1745 Andrea Castagneri violin.