full bio

Ethan Hsu (b. 2008) is a composer and performer from Philadelphia, PA. His music obsesses over vibrant, dynamic energies and pulses while taking inspiration from a diverse range of sources, ranging from roller coasters to surrealist art and video games to personal identity and heritage.

In the 2026-27 season, Ethan will write a new orchestral work for the Roxborough Orchestra in his second collaboration with the organization. He will also have an orchestral piece read by the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra, and a vocal work presented by the New York Virtuoso Singers. Ethan will also record a cello work with close collaborator Isaac Thomas.

His most recent projects include an orchestral work read by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America as one of two apprentice composers, a string quartet performed and recorded by the Dolphins Quartet as part of their free Young Composers’ Program, and an orchestral work for the Pittsburgh Symphony that was premiered to over 6,000 students. Ethan makes his international public debut with his  His work has been featured on Symphony.org and CBS News. 

Ethan’s music has been performed at the Koussevitzky Music Shed, Heinz Hall, the New World Center, Usher Hall in Scotland, Rottenbiller Studio in Hungary, and The Juilliard School, amongst others. He also has had works performed by students of Indiana University, Penn State University, and Georgia Southern University. His string orchestra addition to Allan E. Naplan’s “Al Shlosha D’Varim” was premiered at Carnegie Hall with Ethan playing solo cello, and conducted an original band and orchestra piece in Disney Springs. 

Ethan is a YoungArts winner with distinction and the recipient of the Ballora-Wang Composers’ Prize. He won first place in the Ruth Crawford Seeger Prize, and third prize in the American Prize. He has also received recognition from Vox Novus, the National Young Composers’ Challenge, the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association, and the National Association for Music Education. He is an alumnus of the NowBeat Project, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Juilliard Summer Music.

Ethan studies at the Juilliard Pre-College, where he works with Dr. Manuel Sosa in composition and Dr. Oliver Hagen in conducting. He also studies privately with Chris Rogerson and previously with Emily Cooley. He has received mentorship from composers Sean Shepherd, Pascal Le Boeuf, Nico Muhly, Viet Cuong, Amy Beth Kirsten, and David Serkin Ludwig, amongst others. Aside from music, he is an avid roller coaster enthusiast, skier, and traveler.

​

Note: Ethan's last name is pronounced "SHOE".