MUSIC
Siu, with total aplomb and remarkable artistic vision, brought the piece fully to life, imbuing it with the respect it deserves and the excitement that reached out to every single listener.
The Toledo Blade
BIO
Merwin Siu holds the David W. Robinson Chair as the Toledo Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Second Violin, and serves as the TSO’s Artistic Administrator. He particularly enjoys introducing audiences to works by 20th and 21st century composers. Notable recent performances include the North American premiere of Fazil Say’s 1001 Nights in a Harem and concerted works by John Adams, Leonard Bernstein, Alban Berg, Karl Amadeus Hartmann, Lou Harrison, Keith Jarrett, Astor Piazzolla, Max Richter, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Chen Yi. For six years, Merwin presented an annual music marathon that took place every August at the Toledo Museum of Art.  Merwin is a founding member of the Zin String Quartet and the Bezonian Piano Trio. An enthusiastic educator, Merwin maintains a large private studio alongside a busy schedule of adjudications, lectures, workshops, masterclasses and coachings. Besides the sounds he makes on his violin, you may recognize Merwin’s voice from his pre-concert conversations before TSO events and as a regular participant on WGTE-FM’s weekly radio show and podcast, Toledo SymphonyLab. Eagle-eyed film buffs may remember Merwin from a brief cameo on Marvel’s The Avengers in 2012.  Merwin holds a Master’s in Music from Indiana University and degrees in English and music from Montreal’s McGill University.
Violin lessons for intermediate and advanced students, in-person in the Northwest Ohio area, or virtually throughout the world.
TEACHING
Over twenty years as a Toledo violin teacher
Taught on the faculties of the University of Toledo and Earlham College
Currently on the faculty of the Toledo Symphony School of Music
Student-centered, curating repertoire and curriculum to each individual student
​
Adjudications, masterclasses, lectures and workshops throughout the Midwest
Upcoming Events
5.20.2023 - Songs Without Words
Merwin joins his friends and colleagues Gina Buzzelli, Kalindi Stone and Elizabeth Rice in a program celebrating folksongs from around the world. Works by Kala Ramnath, Jennifer Higdon, Florence Price, Evan Chambers, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor surround several selections from the Danish String Quartet's groundbreaking album, Last Leaf.
Ritz Theatre, Tiffin, OH, 7:30 PM
5.21.2023 - Summer Music
In a program featuring two works by Samuel Barber and a world premiere by Navdeep Singh Galen, Merwin will join the Toledo Symphony's Principal Horn, Megan Amos, violists Reed Anderson and Mihaela Ragusitu, and cellist Amy Chang in a performance of Mozart's Horn Quintet.
Toledo Club, 7 PM
7/9/2023 - Music of African-American Composers
Merwin will perform several works by African-American composers to enhance the worship service at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Toledo. All are welcome!
Trinity Episcopal Church, Toledo, OH, 10 AM
CONNECT
For booking or lessons, please fill in the form below, and I'll be in touch shortly!