Kento Hong is a Japanese–Taiwanese American violinist and Columbia–Juilliard scholar whose work bridges elite classical performance with scientific innovation. Celebrated for his refined sensitivity, technical brilliance, and exceptional maturity, he is emerging rapidly as one of the most compelling young artists of his generation.

His performances have drawn praise from leading musicians worldwide. Legendary violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky writes:

“Kento Hong is a very sensitive player with highly developed musicality that sets him apart from many young violinists today.”
—Dmitry Sitkovetsky

Conductor Kensho Watanabe commends his artistry and integrity:

“Kento is a sterling musical ambassador — a violinist of technical authority, deep musical insight, and admirable leadership.”
—Kensho Watanabe

And in announcing the prestigious Gurrena Fellowship, Meadowmount artistic director Janet Sung affirmed:

“Kento is a highly engaging and impressive performer whose prodigious talent shows that the future of music is very bright.”
—Janet Sung

A decorated competitor on the world stage, Kento is a Grand 4th Prize laureate of the 2021 Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition, a finalist and audience prize winner at the 2022 Thomas & Evon Cooper International Violin Competition, and 3rd Prize laureate of the 2024 Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition. He is also a first-prize winner of the Chicago International, Camarata Artists International, and Chappaqua Orchestra competitions, and the 2024–25 Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition Winner.

Kento has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, Peter Jay Sharp Theater, and the New World Center, and has appeared at the Kronberg Academy Masterclasses as an active finalist participant. He has shared the stage with Maxim Vengerov, Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson, Molly Carr, Tommy Mesa, Robert McDuffie, members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and performed with the Oxford Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. He regularly serves as concertmaster of the Juilliard Pre-College Symphony, Orchestra, and String Ensemble, recognized for leadership with poise and artistic clarity.

Beyond the stage, Kento is a distinguished biomedical engineering researcher at Columbia University. His translational work on joint degeneration, ligament healing, and mechanobiology, integrating computational modeling and tissue engineering, earned the Grand 2nd Prize (Top 5 globally) in Biomedical Engineering at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, as well as the Serving Society through Science Award and recognition as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 300 Scholar.

He currently studies with Dr. Ann Setzer and Professor Catherine Cho at The Juilliard School, while simultaneously pursuing degrees in Mathematics–Statistics, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University through the Columbia–Juilliard Exchange — an interdisciplinary course of study that bridges high-level musical performance, quantitative modeling, and translational biomedical science.

Kento is committed to advancing cultural access and mentorship through Back to Bach, Project Prelude, and national outreach initiatives supported by the Gurrena Fellowship. Guided by curiosity, artistic responsibility, and a dedication to the public good, he seeks to both expand the expressive potential of the violin and drive impactful scientific progress.