Tal First

Israeli violist Tal First is the Assistant Principal Violist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He has performed at leading venues and festivals, including BBC Proms, Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, Lucerne Festival, Philharmonie de Paris, Rheingau Musik Festival, and the Salzburg Festival. Previously, he was a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

A versatile performer, First has appeared as a soloist with the Galilee Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand’s Sinfonia for Hope, and the Thelma Yellin Symphony Orchestra. He is also an active chamber musician, having performed at the Central Chamber Series, Classical Tahoe Music Festival, Gabriela Montero at Prager Concert Series, and the Skaneateles Festival, among other distinguished stages.

Passionate about musical outreach, First has been a returning artist with the Musethica Foundation and previously performed with New York City’s Concerts in Motion, bringing live music to audiences unable to attend traditional concert settings.

As an educator, First has been engaged as faculty and instructor by institutions including the Perlman Music Program, Juilliard Pre-College, and New York University. While a student at Juilliard, he also served as a Teaching Fellow in the Ear Training Department under the mentorship of Dr. Kyle Blaha.

First’s training includes participation in the David Goldman Chamber Music Program, Keshet Eilon Mastercourse, and the Perlman Music Program. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Itzhak Perlman and Li Lin.

His work has been supported by scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and the Ronen Foundation, as well as through the instrument collection of Yehuda Zisapel, which has generously loaned him fine instruments throughout his career.