Hi! I am Ming Hsien Tsai
Chromatic Harmonica Player at Sirius Harmonica Ensemble
Full-time Harmonica Teacher
Harmonica Maker at Laelaps
Hi! I am Ming Hsien Tsai
Chromatic Harmonica Player at Sirius Harmonica Ensemble
Full-time Harmonica Teacher
Harmonica Maker at Laelaps
My Story
2002 - 2013
My harmonica learning started when I began learning the tremolo harmonica at the age of 10 which was inspired by my teacher Maw. My love of the harmonica is encapsulated by a saying by Cal Newport, who said: “Passion is a side effect of mastery”.
My interest in the harmonica grew after winning the national music competition at an early age. Subsequently, I became acquainted with ensemble and orchestra music. At the same time, I participated in several orchestra performances and international competitions which were really well-received and successful, including the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival (APHF) in 2006 and 2008.
When I joined harmonica ensembles after high school, I began my performing life. In 2008, I took a role in an ensemble-joint concert which marked a significant milestone. This opened up the opportunity to be part of a sound system, so I could learn as part of a larger group of musicians.
When I joined harmonica ensembles after high school, I began my performing life. In 2008, I took a role in an ensemble-joint concert which marked a significant milestone. This opened up the opportunity to be part of a sound system, so I could learn as part of a larger group of musicians.
During university time, influenced by pop music and the university guitar club, we joint-performed and co-produced the piece ‘Goodbye’ which won the first prize in Yun Xian Jiang. In the fourth year, we worked together again for the recording and performance of our year’s graduation song.
During university time, influenced by pop music and the university guitar club, we joint-performed and co-produced the piece ‘Goodbye’ which won the first prize in Yun Xian Jiang. In the fourth year, we worked together again for the recording and performance of our year’s graduation song.
2013 - 2020
I embarked on a career as a harmonica teacher in 2013 after I graduated. To my delight, my students have been obtaining good results in various national and international competitions. One of the schools I am teaching has transformed into a class which develops new talents in the performing arts, which is the first school in Taiwan that develops harmonica skills in its core curriculum. Beyond that, I have been building my teaching career on the mission of passing down the performance and teaching experience to upcoming generations of musicians.
I embarked on a career as a harmonica teacher in 2013 after I graduated. To my delight, my students have been obtaining good results in various national and international competitions. One of the schools I am teaching has transformed into a class which develops new talents in the performing arts, which is the first school in Taiwan that develops harmonica skills in its core curriculum. Beyond that, I have been building my teaching career on the mission of passing down the performance and teaching experience to upcoming generations of musicians.
During high school, when I had my first chromatic harmonica, I became fascinated by hardware reparation and refurbishment. Thereafter, I continued researching the physical construction of the harmonica and the characteristics and structure of the materials. With extensive experience in reparation and performance, in 2018, Chao Teng and I founded our own custom-made harmonica brand, Laelaps, and received a lot of recognition from the world’s top harmonica virtuosos. We aim to put our experience and skills together onto this harmonica and spread our knowledge to more harmonica players.
Highlights
2012-2016 Guest Performer at Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival (APHF)
2013 World Harmonica Festival Jury, Performer and Workshop Host
2014~2019 Seoul International Harmonica Festival Jury, Performer and Workshop Host
2018 Founded the Harmonica Brand Laelaps
Gallery
