Three Violins in Conversation with Pei-Chun Tsai, Hsin-Lin Tsai, Miguel Pérez-Espejo
Week of February 14, 2026
Three Violins in Conversation
An evening of romance and fire, where three violins share stories through songs—sometimes in harmony, sometimes in playful duels. From tender melodies to dazzling exchanges, the music invites you to listen in on a conversation of passion and joy.
Pei-Chun Tsai from Tainan, Taiwan, winner of the Taiwan National Violin Competition, made her debut at the Weill Recital Hall in Manhattan, and has enjoyed summers at the Alfred, Encore, Yellow Barn, and Taos festivals as well as the International Holland Music Sessions. Joseph Fuchs, Daniel Phillips, and Harvey Shapiro have been her teachers and mentors in the United States. She is the founding director of the Campanile Music Festival at San Diego State University and has been a member of the San Diego Symphony since 2005 in addition to being violin lecturer at SDSU. She released an album of solo violin works entitled “Chaconne” in 2021 highlighting Baroque and contemporary masterpieces of this form. Pei-Chun holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts degree from City University of New York, with Bachelor and Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School. She performs on a violin by Boston luthier Charline Dequincy, and a bow made by Abe Liebhaber in San Diego.
Described as “outstanding” (Martín Llade, Melómano music magazine), L’Étoile Violin Duo was created by violinists Hsin-Lin Tsai and Miguel Pérez-Espejo Cárdenas, as a result of their love for chamber music and, in particular, to explore, develop and expand the violin duo literature.
They perform throughout the United States, Europe and Taiwan, including invitations from the Instituto Cervantes of New York City and its Director, distinguished writer Antonio Muñoz Molina, to present Spain in Chamber Music, a four-recital cycle; performances on the European Day of Music celebrations in live radio broadcasts throughout Europe; and CD recordings with the RTVE MUSICA label, of the National Radio of Spain.
Described as “sublime” by distinguished composer Augusta Read Thomas, their playing is characterized by their elegant, artistic style, superb ensemble technique, and unique ability to bring the personality of music they perform to life. Their versatility is illustrated by their wide repertoire, ranging from the Baroque period to the music of our time. In this respect, L’Étoile Violin Duo has an unwavering commitment to the championing of new works. Augusta Read Thomas, David Lefkowitz, Michael Ippolito and Spanish composer José Zárate are among the contemporary composers whose music is at the core of L’Étoile’s repertoire. The new works they perform cover a broad scope, from abstract tonal such as Read Thomas’ Double Helix, to the expressionistic style best represented by Zárate’s “Little Nice Pieces”, dedicated and written for L’Étoile. The Duo received the Granoff Music Fund Grant and presented the world premiere of Kareem Roustom’s “Reflections & Refractions”, written for and commissioned by L’Étoile. They are creators and Co-Artistic Directors of The Renewal Series: Concerts in Dialogue with Art and Audience, a unique project of their creation in partnership with Granoff Music Center, Pucker Gallery, and Boston Arts Academy, combining music, dance, literature and the visual arts. Recent and upcoming engagements include performances and master classes in the United States, Spain and Taiwan, most recently at Kaohsiung Municipal Senior High School and Taipei National University of the Arts.
In addition to their performing, L’Étoile Violin Duo is deeply committed to education. They are dedicated teachers whose students are First Prize winners and laureates in national and international competitions. Through master classes, residencies and community engagement concerts, L’Étoile reaches audiences of all social and cultural backgrounds, fostering communication and understanding through a kaleidoscope of extraordinary music. For more information, please visit www.perezespejo.com/letoileduo.html.