Set Pieces

Writing music characterized by “lyrical centers,” that “channeled spirituality” and “vehemence” (The Straits Times), Singaporean composer and yangqin, violin performer Koh Cheng Jin strives to transcend cultural boundaries with imaginative storytelling and music making. As composer, she has collaborated with Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, Juilliard Orchestra, China Conservatory of Music, Central Conservatory of Music, Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, Bard US-China Music Institute, American Guild of Organists, Talea Ensemble, Verona Quartet, Ding Yi Music Company, among several others. Most significant accolades include the BMI Foundation Composer (William Schuman) Prize, an ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the Society of New Music Brian Israel Prize, Palmer Dixon Award and Gena Raps Chamber Music Prize (both from The Juilliard School), and the Boston New Music Initiative (BNMI) Prize. She was also commissioned by the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art for their centennial celebrations and was the commissioned composer for the 2022 Singapore International Violin Competition. Festivals that have featured her music include the Singapore International Festival of Arts and Singapore International Piano Festival. Having completed her undergraduate (with academic honors) and graduate studies at The Juilliard School, she is currently a PhD MacCracken doctoral fellow and a graduate teaching adjunct at New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science. Her pedagogues include Melinda Wagner, Kelly Tang, Robert Beaser and Louis Karchin.