Profile | Hong Kong violin virtuoso Paloma So on why young people ‘should go for classical music’ and juggling a career and studies

Rising star Paloma So was in Hong Kong after touring with the HK Phil in mainland China, where she tries to ‘really spread’ classical music to the young crowd

The 18-year-old former child prodigy opens up about her unlikely musical journey, why she is studying economics on top of music, and what the future might hold

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Paloma So in Hong Kong, in May 2024, on the back of her tour of mainland China with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The violinist spoke to the Post about her “obligation” to spread classical music among young people. Photo: Antony Dickson

Erika Na

Published: 7:15am, 27 May 2024Updated: 1:13pm, 27 May 2024

Corrected [1:12pm, 27 May, 2024]

[1:12pm, 27 May, 2024]
Paloma So received a full scholarship from the New England Conservatory, not Harvard University.

In 2014, violinist Paloma So made her debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, performing as the soloist in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 5.

It would be a proud achievement for any young musician to have such an opportunity to shine, but it was all the more impressive since So was only eight years old back then – and had played the violin for only three years.

She has not stopped since.

Now 18 and studying economics and music at Harvard University and on a full scholarship at the New England Conservatory, the Hong Kong-born virtuoso has played with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and recently toured mainland China with the HK Phil.

So in Hong Kong, in May 2024. Photo: Antony Dickson

The Post caught up with her during the few days she was back home in Hong Kong after performing the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto in Wuxi and Shanghai.