Albert Lai, 11, was born in New York and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2018 when he started learning piano. Currently studying under Dr. Yu-Chi Tai, he has earned first prizes at the United States Open Music Competition and the San Francisco Innovative International Music Competition, as well as third place in the 2024 California Association of Professional Music Teachers Contemporary Competition. Albert has performed as a soloist and chamber pianist at events such as the C’est Bon Chamber Music Academy Festival and the Oclef Contemporary Music Festival. In addition to piano, Albert plays the violin and performed in a concert in South France in 2024. He also serves as the concertmaster of his school orchestra, demonstrating his versatility and passion for music across classical, pop, and jazz. In his free time, he enjoys sports, coding, and traveling with his family and friends, bringing enthusiasm and curiosity to every aspect of his life.
Watch Albert Lai perform Variations on a Theme of Paganini by Isaac Berkovich on the piano for the 2025 Winter Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.