New Project: "Ode to a Nightingale"
12.1.2015
I'm currently working on a major vocal work set to John Keats' famous lyric poem "Ode to a Nightingale." I've been in love with this poem ever since I first encountered it in senior high school, and have always wanted to set it to music. I'm very excited that my teacher this semester, Bruce Pennycook, gave the OK to let me embark on such a momentous project.
The scope of this (c. 20min) composition for solo baritone & chamber orchestra means I probably won't get it finished before New Years, but I'm definitely excited to see what life it takes on come 2016!
Thomas Yee "Pale Blue Dot" World Premiere!
11.4.2015
Tonight was a very special evening as I was involved, once again, in an extremely successful concert by the UT CLUTCH New Music series, premiering Thomas Yee's "Pale Blue Dot" on the piano along with Justin Onochoa on marimba and Kazoumi Motoike on vibraphone. What an honour to work with these amazing musicians on a brilliantly engaging (& difficult!) piece!
The concert was held in Bates recital hall at the UT Butler School of Music, with about 250 attending in person and a busy livestream. Audience response was excellent! A video of the the performance can be found here.
Grace Ma "Six pieces pour le piano" World Premiere!
10.5.2015
What an exciting day! This evening marks my Austin debut as I perform my own, newly-composed "Six pieces pour le piano" at the first UT CLUTCH New Music concert of the year. What's even more special is the fact I am also on the marketing-outreach team for the collective. The Recital Studio at the UT Butler School of Music was packed with engaged audience, who expressed their enjoyment after the show.
The work was well-received, and I had a ton of fun performing it! Watch the performance here.