For string quartet with live electronics and fixed media
Thring: (verb) to press, throng, crush. 这世界总让我觉得拥挤不堪，仿佛窒息。 Thring is a musical journey that explores the concept of extreme overcrowding in both physical and societal dimensions. Divided into two sections, this composition encapsulates the tension experienced in crowded spaces and addresses the challenges women face in a noisy, judgmental world.
Zagana扎尕那:The Mystery Valley
For two pianos with two pianists, prepared piano with extended techniques
Zagana (扎尕那): The Mystery Valley, is a musical journey that invites listeners to explore the rugged and enigmatic world of the Zagana mountains through the unique and captivating sounds of prepared pianos. This three-movement piece encapsulates the essence of a mountainous landscape, utilizing an array of extended techniques to convey the profound beauty and mystique of nature.
Donut, Ring, Torus
for flute, clarinet, violin and piano with extended techniques
Donut, Ring, and Torus were inspired by an open music composition patch that I created to fulfill a course requirement.During the process of creating the patches and being inspired by Prof. Minakakis, I developed a keen interest and found inspiration in serialism music. After completing the patches and submitting a minute-long piece for the class, I expanded it into a six-minute version based on Prof. Minakakis's feedback. This extended version allowed me to explore more possibilities in expressing the sensation of dropping a donut, the realization of the ring (or bell ring), and the falling of a torus.
Emotion Fragments
for Orchestra 2023 Recorded Performance by NEC Philharmonia, conducted by Hugh Wolff
Crossing Lights
for wall vase, iron plate, singing vase, glass bowl, wood, brackets, 2022iron pots and mixing bowl and electronics
Performed by Nga ieng Sabrinal Lai (percussion), Jeff Sagurton (percussion),and Wanying Monstar Cao
Lost on Penrose Stairs
Lost on Penrose Stairs was inspired by a dream I had where I was stuck on an endless ladder, whether I was going up or down, running or falling, I was always on the same ladder. After I did some research, I realized that my dream was similar to the concept of Penrose stairs. It is a famous geometric paradox concept, referring to a staircase that always goes up or down but loops endlessly. The highest or lowest point can never be found throughout the Penrose Stairs.
Gravity – 2000was inspired by my dear friend, Ziwei Tang’s art performance, Gravity – 2000.
During the performance, she used two thousand, 5cm x 5cm wooden blocks to surround herself in a circular structure. During the building process, she had to pay all attention to the blocks the entire time since the ring is extremely easily collapsed. According to Ziwei, she wants to use the process of building the ring of blocks to create and reinforce the feeling of her childhood. These emotions include hope, stress, tension, anxiety, and feelings of the sublime. I’m reminded of the excitement of throwing ping pong balls inside the piano in my last prepared piano, Lost on Penrose Stairs. I used extended flute techniques to capture the performers’ facial expressions as the blocks shockingly collapse. With the flute’s extended technique, the screaming while playing, the flute part reflects the frustration of the inevitable collapse and the uncertainty.