Stephen Johnson-Tseu

“...an avid storyteller... A formidable cellist..." – Benjamin Zander

Stephen has performed extensively and internationally across 3 continents as a cellist. A native of Kota Kinabalu, he has performed with the Denver Philharmonic, American Festival Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia, among many others.

Having studied and attended masterclasses with cellists Julie Dessureault, Asier Polo, Jacob Shaw, Leonid Shukaev, Thomas Duran, Thomas Loewenheim, and the late Alexander Buzlov, Stephen was greatly influenced to be a great enthusiast of various genres and soundscapes.

As a performer, he favours creative communication between artistic hive minds to generate exhilarating experiences for attending audiences. He frequently performs with the DSCH Quartet and Kamerata Kuala Lumpur, and has performed in chamber recitals with Giacomo Banella, Ng Chong Lim, Poom Prommachart, P’ng Tean Hwa, to name a few. Stephen was also invited to the Mas Palou Artist Residency in 2023 together with Daniel Bucurescu.

His commercial appearances also showcase his versatility; he has performed with artists like Pradeep Kumar, Nathania Ong, Joe Flizzow, and Izen Kong, as well as appearing in corporate events with Viu, HSBC, Maybank, Signature Kitchen, and Kenanga. Notable projects in the 2024/25 season will include orchestral projects in East Malaysia and concerts in Singapore.

As an educator, Stephen has extensive cello pedagogical experience - he taught at the British International School, Epsom College, University of Malaya, and later received his diploma in education in 2022. Stephen also occasionally tutors for the ‘Genius Seni Muzik’, the youth orchestra programme at the Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. Stephen was also the head of Diploma programmes at the UCSI Institute of Music; he presently teaches at UCSI and Sunway Universities as an adjunct instructor.

Stephen performs on a 2014 Han Zhao-sheng cello.