Timothy Chooi, associate professor of violin at the University of Ottawa’s School of Music, has received this year’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Award, presented by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, in recognition of his groundbreaking work to make classical music more accessible, relevant and community-focused.
“The performing arts, and classical music in particular, have often lagged behind other fields in implementing EDI principles in meaningful ways,” says Chooi. “As a violinist and professor, I explore how classical music — a traditionally Eurocentric field — can evolve into a participatory, inclusive space. My research is not only artistic but social. It seeks to connect people through performance, community engagement and cultural dialogue.”
Building bridges through music
Chooi’s research uses music as a tool for storytelling, intercultural exchange and social connection. In 2018, while at the Julliard School, he co-founded the , an initiative that brings together musicians, especially refugees and new Americans, to share stories through music.
The collective has partnered with organizations, such as the United Nations, WQXR (New York’s classical music radio), food banks and the New York City YMCA, co-creating concerts across several countries and reaching audiences in the thousands. One standout project involved Syrian refugees developing performances that reflected their journeys of trauma, resilience and belonging.
This work earned the Robert Sherman Award for Music Education and Community Outreach and continues to inspire new models of socially engaged performance.
Where inclusion and tradition play in tune
During the pandemic, Chooi launched “Folk Music Reimagined for Solo Violin,” a digital series that brought folk traditions from East Asia and Canada to Instagram and YouTube, engaging younger and culturally diverse audiences.
“It ultimately became a case study in how digital platforms can foster inclusion in times of disconnection,” he explains. “These videos reached thousands of viewers and demonstrated how social media could serve as a research vehicle — bypassing traditional gatekeeping and creating direct access between performer and public.”
Chooi also champions inclusive programming, featuring works by historically excluded composers at Carnegie Hall and the Verbier Festival.
“These programs were designed to invite new narratives into established institutions — not to replace the canon, but to expand it,” he says. “I view these performances as public scholarship — where repertoire becomes research and performance becomes advocacy.”
Equity from the stage to the classroom
Chooi’s commitment to accessibility extends to remote communities in Northern Quebec, the Northwest Territories and southern Chile, where he leads workshops and performances for youth who rarely experience live classical music.
At 糵, Chooi leads the string program, oversees public relations for the School of Music, and contributes to the EDI Committee. His mentorship has helped students pursue graduate studies and launch research projects rooted in identity and community engagement.
“I am interested not only in who performs and listens, but in how and why we perform, and in the cultural legacies we carry, challenge and pass on.”
Timothy Chooi, Associate professor of violin
— School of Music, Faculty of Arts
A living conversation
As an EDI trailblazer in classical music, Chooi continues to lead, using the art form as a living conversation. Whether through creative performance, curriculum diversification or cultural collaboration, he demonstrates how music can reflect and respond to the world around us.
Through his research and artistry, Chooi is proving that classical music can be more than performance — it can be a platform for equity, dialogue and cultural transformation.
