Isaac Kay

Isaac Kay is a violinist, chamber musician, and educator whose career has taken him to renowned concert halls, festivals, and universities throughout the United States and abroad. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, Westmont College, and the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory Program. His musical training was shaped by renowned teachers and artists including
Ian Swensen, Alexander Barantschik, David Halen, Linda Wang, Bing Wang, and Elizabeth Blumenstock.

An avid chamber musician, Isaac has performed alongside distinguished artists such as Augustin Hadelich, Simone Porter, Robert Chen, Alex Kerr, Jeremiah Shaw, Elaine Douvas, and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and San Francisco Opera Orchestra. Through a collaboration with Lincoln Center, he performed more than 400 chamber music concerts worldwide aboard Holland America Line voyages, sharing chamber music with audiences across Europe, North America, and beyond.

As an orchestral musician, Isaac has appeared with the Colorado Symphony, Omaha Symphony, New World Symphony, Opera Colorado, Colorado Ballet, the Santa Barbara Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, and Colorado Springs Philharmonic. He has served as Assistant Concertmaster of the Aspen Chamber Symphony, Principal Second Violin of both the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra and Aspen Opera Center Orchestra, and has appeared as guest concertmaster with ensembles
throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He has performed under the direction of conductors including Marin Alsop, Robert Spano, Matthias Pintscher, Dame Jane Glover, Nicholas McGegan, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Sir Andrew Davis.
 

A passionate advocate for contemporary music, he has collaborated with composers Daniel Gee, Remi Inari, Pamela Z, and Webster Young. His recording of Kevin Puts’ And Legions Will Rise was featured on Colorado Public Radio, and he appeared in Webster Young’s documentary Return to Aspen. He has also worked with celebrated artist Stephen Prina and performed with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble under the baton of David Robertson.

As a soloist, Kay has performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, the Brahms Double Concerto at Hahn Hall, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the Roanoque Baroque Ensemble, and concerto performances in Vienna’s Das MuTh Hall. His performances have taken him to renowned venues including the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Dvorak Hall in Prague, Das MuTh in Vienna, Severance Hall in Cleveland, the New World Center in Miami Beach, Harris
Hall in Aspen, and the Aspen Art Museum.
 

Equally dedicated to teaching, Isaac has served on the faculty of Metropolitan State University of Denver, Westmont College, and on the faculty of the Credo Chamber Music Festival. He is excited to join the faculty of the University of Denver Lamont School of Music beginning in Fall 2026. His students have gone on to concerto appearances, major summer music festivals, conservatory study, and successful professional careers. Through both performance and teaching, Isaac is committed to cultivating artistic excellence, curiosity, and meaningful engagement with music.

Learn more about Isaac Kay, upcoming performances, teaching, and current projects at www.isaacjeffreykay.com.