Music Research Seminar: Tonia Ko (Royal Holloway, University of London)

Event abstract

The recent works of Tonia Ko are informed by an attitude of “radical acceptance” towards the instrument. Instead of working within prescribed roles of each instrumental family, Ko turns to each object’s physical mechanism for clues on new playing techniques and sounds. This creative practice is one where drums become melodic, string playing is highly percussive, and keyboards are not struck but made to sing.  

About Tonia Ko

Tonia Ko has collaborated with leading soloists and ensembles across a variety of media—from acoustic concert pieces to improvisations and sound installations. No matter how traditional or experimental the medium, Ko’s work reveals a core that is at once whimsical, questioning, and lyrical. Recipient of numerous accolades including a Guggenheim Fellowship, Ko’s music has been lauded by The New York Times for its “captivating” details and “vivid orchestral palette,” and performed at venues such as Walt Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, and the Royaumont Festival. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Ko holds a DMA from Cornell University. She served as 2015-17 Composer-in-Residence for Young Concert Artists and was the 2018-19 Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Contemporary Composition at the University of Chicago. She was appointed Lecturer in Composition at Royal Holloway, the University of London in 2020.