Kristine Clair “KayCee” Uchi Galano is a Filipino violinist recognized for her expressive artistry, versatility, and dynamic musicianship. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, appearing with orchestras in the Philippines, China, Europe, and the United States.

KayCee’s upcoming fall engagements include a return to the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, as well as a collaboration with pianist Victor Asuncion with the Memphis Chamber Music Society. Her recent highlights include performances in the Philippines and Brunei, an appearance at the prestigious Goldenberg Mansion Concert Series hosted by the First Lady of the Philippines, and participation in the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition. In 2024, she also performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Chino Toledo.

A prizewinner of numerous international competitions, KayCee was awarded First Prize at the 2021 Mary Lane Memorial Violin Competition and at the Great Wall Violin Concerto Competition in Beijing, where she performed Brahms’ Violin Concerto. She has also participated in the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and the inaugural International Viktor Tretyakov Violin Competition.

KayCee made her Carnegie Hall debut in October 2019, performing all six of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. Her orchestral appearances include performances with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Jena Philharmonic Orchestra, and University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra. She has performed concertos by Mozart, Bruch, Korngold, Mendelssohn, and Brahms, and has collaborated with conductors including Gerard Salonga, Yoshikazu Fukumura, Markus Frank, and Chino Toledo. At the age of 12, she was featured on NPR’s From the Top with Christopher O’Riley.

An avid chamber musician, KayCee has participated in the Perlman Music Program, Kneisel Hall, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Queenstown Violin Summer School in New Zealand, Great Wall International Music Academy in Beijing, and Innsbrook Institute of Music, among other distinguished programs. These experiences have shaped her broad musical perspective and deep commitment to collaboration and chamber music.

KayCee currently studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with renowned violinist and pedagogue Kurt Sassmannshaus.