Composer
Singaporean composer,
Kangyi Zhang (b1985) started learning the Chinese flute at the age of 12
under renowned maestro Zhan Yong Ming. He then received training in
Western music locally in Singapore and the United States (Brown University, Northwestern University). He
studied flute under Cheryl Lim Xuanzi, Evgueni Brokmiller and John Curran, and
studied composition under Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, Jay Alan Yim and Gerald Shapiro. Kangyi is also grateful to Tan Qin Ying, Arlene Cole and James Baker for developing his theory and musicianship.
Kangyi is committed to
promoting solo and chamber flute pieces written by living composers, In
2009, he premiered ‘The Ascending Kettle- for flute and live electronics’
written by Alexander Dupuis. He enjoys collaborating with composers and
hopes to deepen composers’ understanding of flute performance.
Kangyi passionately believes that contemporary music can be tonally accessible. His programmatic compositions are often a fusion of avant-garde and traditional tonal styles. Extended techniques of various instruments are frequently used to re-create imagery of past events. Kangyi also hopes to raise awareness of certain historical events which have inspired some of his pieces.
Kangyi is currently studying composition under Ian Krouse at the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Chasm
specially written for Ivan Tan and Nadine Kulberg
Arab Spring and Occupy (Flute + Alto Flute + Bassoon)
specially written for Ellye Walsh and Susanna Whitney
specially written for Yoshiko Arahata
Our Story 我们的故事 (Male + Female Voice + Piano)
Lyrics: Bilin Zhuang, Ding Ding
Specially written for the wedding of Bilin and Ding
