Du Yun

Full biography Du Yun

Composer Du Yun is a Chinese-born, American-based composer known for her groundbreaking work in contemporary classical music. She was born on October 8, 1977, in Shanghai, China, and grew up during the tumultuous era of the Cultural Revolution. Despite this difficult environment, she showed an early aptitude for music, and by the age of thirteen, she had begun formal training in classical piano.

Du Yun went on to attend the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she studied composition and piano. After completing her studies there, she moved to the United States, where she continued her education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Throughout her career, Du Yun has sought to break down barriers between different musical styles and cultures. Her compositions often incorporate elements of rock, jazz, and other popular genres, as well as traditional Chinese music. She has also collaborated with numerous other artists and musicians, both within and outside of the classical music world.

One of Du Yun's most highly regarded works is "Angel's Bone," an opera that explores themes of human trafficking and exploitation. The opera premiered in 2016 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2017, cementing Du Yun's status as one of the most prominent and innovative composers of her generation.

In addition to her work as a composer, Du Yun is also an active performer, teacher, and advocate for new music. She has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Rome Prize. With her boundary-pushing compositions and commitment to bridging musical divides, Du Yun is a true visionary in the world of classical music.