Korean native composer Jean Ahn, this year’s SFCA Composer-in-Residence, has been recognized, awarded, and honored by many. Her compositions have been featured at Aspen New Music Festival, American Composers Orchestra’s Ear Shot (by Memphis Symphony), June in Buffalo, Oregon Bach Festival, Etchings Festival, Festival of Contemporary Music, IAWM, Berkeley Symphony Under Construction, Pacific Korean Music Festival, and College Music Society Conferences, among others. Commissions include works for the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Gayaguem Soloist JUL, Volti, Duo Camaraderie, Locrian Chamber Players, and the Pianissimo among others.
Jean’s music brings Asian traditional elements into western music. Her piano collection, “Folksong Revisit” and voice collection, “Folksong” are ongoing projects that show her vision to introduce Korean songs and techniques to professional performers in the US. She also uses electronics/computer music to extend the boundaries of traditional instruments.
Dr. Ahn holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and M.A. and B.A. from Seoul National University. She is the director of Ensemble Ari and is the assistant director of UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus. She is currently lecturing at UC Davis and has taught at UC Berkeley, University of the Pacific and Dominican University.