Matthew Mak, 17, is from Southern California. He began playing at age seven and currently studies with Dr. Yoshika Masuda. Matthew performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Disney Concert Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Times Square’s Red Steps, and the Laemmle Theater with the Los Angeles Children’s Orchestra from 2015 to 2020. He has been a member of the PYSO Philharmonic since 2024 and is the Principal Cellist this season. Matthew has earned top prizes in several competitions, including the ASTA–LA Regional Solo Competition, the CAPMT Concerto Competition, the Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, the American Protégé International Competition, and the “László Spezzaferri” International Music Competition. Outside of music, Matthew has participated in improv tournaments since fourth grade, and his team has consistently placed in the top three in California.
J. Brahms, Sonata in E minor, Op. 38, 1st mvt
