An artist-educator, researcher, and entrepreneur, Connie Cai advocates for expanding improvisation in technique instruction. Her undergraduate research, "How to Teach Spiccato Using Improvisation," included interviews with soloists and leading musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra. This study led to the founding of PROJECT IMPROV, which makes improvisation accessible as a teaching tool for technique. Her work was presented at the 2024 ASTA National Conference.

Connie has a strong interest in building communities through collaboration. She co-founded ECHO: Musicians Connect, a peer-based learning community, during the 2020 lockdown. Supported by fellowships from Yale University and Mannes School of Music, ECHO hosted online seminars, masterclasses, and discussions for young artists. Connie trained a team of 10 facilitators to develop teaching leadership and meaningful educational experiences.

As a violinist, Connie performed with the New York Youth Symphony, Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Columbia University Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. A graduate of Barnard College and Manhattan School of Music, she majored in Music and Education and studied violin performance under Professor Isaac Malkin. In Fall 2024, she will pursue an MS in Music Education at Jacobs School of Music, studying violin and music pedagogy with Dr. Brenda Brenner and Mimi Zweig.