Dr. Kaye Yu-Ho Chang Chilton
Dr. Kaye Yu-Ho Chang-Chilton began her musical journey in her native Taiwan, starting piano at age five and later taking up the cello at eight. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance at Taiwan’s Fu Jen Catholic University and continued her studies at the University of North Texas, where she achieved her Master of Music, Graduate Artist Certificate, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance in 2022 under the guidance of Nikola Ruzevic. During her time at UNT, she served as an assistant in the chamber music department, performed with the UNT Baroque Orchestra in Boston in 2015, and held the position of Cello Principal for the Concert Orchestra, often featured as a soloist.
From 2011 to 2013, Dr. Chang-Chilton performed as a member of the Nova String Quartet, which earned her a prestigious scholarship, and from 2013 to 2017, she was awarded a teaching fellowship at UNT. She later served as cello principal of the New Texas Sinfonia from 2021 to 2023, where she played an integral role in the ensemble's formation and early seasons. Her notable solo performance of The Swan from Carnival of the Animals was praised by Scott Cantrell, music critic for the Dallas Morning News, who noted it “could not have been better!”
An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Chang-Chilton has performed across California and Southeast Asia. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Dallas Chamber Symphony and performed with the Irving Symphony, Plano Symphony, and Las Colinas Symphony. In 2018, she co-founded Forte Piano Strings studio with her family, where she mentors young musicians, many of whom achieve top rankings in TMEA All-Region auditions and TMEA All-State. She has inspired students to pursue a career in music with some even achieving full scholarships from colleges of music for the musical skills.
Dr. Chang-Chilton remains active in the Texas community, performing for major events such as the grand opening of the Taiwan Trade Center in Dallas in 2023. Her performance with her husband, Daniel Chilton, was highly praised by U.S. Senators and Taiwanese Trade Ambassador Chih-Fang Huang. She also dedicates her talents to charity events like Hope’s Gate’s annual “Hope Under the Stars.”
As a founding member of Mementos Music Group, Dr. Chang-Chilton is committed to providing audiences with engaging and meaningful chamber music experiences, while offering students opportunities to deepen their artistic journeys. Her work through Mementos Music Group reflects her dedication to connecting with audiences and nurturing future generations of musicians.