Matthew Ho, from East Brunswick High School in New Jersey, began playing the cello at age 9 and currently studies under Clara Kim at the Juilliard Pre-College. A 2025 YoungArts Winner with Distinction, Matthew has earned Judges’ Commendation in the Johansen International Competition. He was a semi-finalist in the Stulberg International String Competition and a finalist in the MTNA National Competition. Additional honors include Grand Prizes in the Young Soloist International Music Competition and the New York Laureate International Music Competition, Top Prize in the International Grande Music Competition, and First Prize in the Adelphi Young Artists Competition, among others. Matthew has appeared as a soloist with the Camerata New Jersey Orchestra, the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra after winning their concerto competitions. He has been featured twice on NPR’s From the Top’s “Daily Joy” series.

Matthew has served as principal cellist of the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony. He attended Morningside Music Bridge and the Perlman Music Program in the summers. An avid chamber musician, Matthew co-founded AllNote Alliance, a youth-led organization dedicated to promoting composer diversity in chamber music, and won the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Young Musicians Innovation Challenge. His ensemble, Vivere Trio, was a finalist in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition.

Having begun his cello journey in his elementary school orchestra program, Matthew is passionate about inspiring a love of classical music in young students. He co-founded the Bach to Bach NJ Middlesex County Branch in early 2022 and has since served as its Regional Director.