Biography

Robbie Bui is a contemporary cellist whose playing has been regarded for its intense physicality and fervent energy. Complemented by his additional background in composition, he puts deep consideration into music’s theoretical construction blocks to yield corporeally gripping performances. Specializing in new music, Bui has dedicated himself to numerous works by living composers in solo and chamber settings.

He has appeared as a soloist in several places including the McGill Schulich School of Music, Koussevitzky Shed, Seiji Ozawa Hall, Jordan Hall, Conrad Prebys Music Center, Mandeville Auditorium, and Coronado Public Library.

Bui is currently recognized in ensembles such as La Jolla Symphony, Pacific Lyric Association, Ecce Ensemble, Palimpsest Ensemble, and Alinéa Ensemble, of which he is a founding member. Other groups in which he was a collaborator, composer, or mentee include Ensemble Dal Niente, Ensemble PHACE, JACK Quartet, NEC Contemporary Ensemble, nec[shivaree], New England Conservatory Symphony, Perfect 4th String Quartet, Tempest String Quartet, Transient Canvas, Worcester Chamber Music Society, and Phoenix Youth Symphony.

Some merits from his musical career include winning Best Contemporary Performance Prize of the La Jolla Symphony Young Artists Competition, as well as New England Conservatory’s Honors Ensemble Competition 2018, Orchestral Composition Competition 2019, and Contemporary Ensemble Competitions 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, he was the leading director of the monthly series, Tuesday Night New Music. Additionally, he has been recognized and awarded through organizations such as Tribeca New Music, Collage New Music, Arizona Musicfest, and the American String Teacher Association’s National Orchestra Festival.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree with Honors from the New England Conservatory, where he was the Commencement Address speaker and a Presser Scholar. His primary teachers included composer Stratis Minakakis and cellist Mickey Katz. He then graduated with a Master of Arts in Contemporary Cello performance at University of California San Diego studying with Charles Curtis. Currently, he is a doctoral student at the same institution. In summers, he has attended institutes and festivals fostering both composition and performance disciplines including Darmstädter Ferienkurse, Klangspuren, Etchings Festival, Delian Academy, New Music on the Point, Orford Music Academy Contemporary Workshop, Vienna Summer Music Festival+Ensemble PHACE, Boston Conservatory, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Idyllwild Arts.

Beyond cello and composition, Bui is the Community Engagement Manager of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, implementing programs to improve the accessibility and outreach of music. And beyond music, Bui is a portrait/event photographer, avid language learner, fashion enthusiast, and an occasional hair stylist, and latte artist.