Sung-Yee Chu

Percussion

As a professional percussionist, Mr. Chu used to perform as a principal timpanist at the Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and as an artistic director at the Percussion Ensemble affiliated to KSO. He taught in the departments of music at the National University of Tainan and National Pingtung University. He was a lecturer for the Taiwan Provincial Music Educators’ Workshop, an adjunct lecturer for National Chiayi University and National Taitung University, and radio host for the Percussion Night Program of the Kaohsiung Broadcasting Station.

Born in Hong Kong, Mr. Chu had his interest in percussion music inspired by Dr. Yiu Kwong Chung. During his time in Hong Kong, he participated in numerous music performances in such organizations as Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, and Hong Kong Symphonic Winds Orchestra. In 1979, Mr. Chu toured major cities in the UK and in Paris with the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra. He also took part in the Aberdeen International Music Festival.

Mr. Chu graduated from the University of Toronto, Canada, with a master’s degree in music performance. He was a student of Dr. Russell Hartenberger, and learned the tabla from Professor Bob Becker. During his stay in Canada, he performed in various types of music performances, including symphonies, contemporary music, solos, folk music, and Broadway music. Mr. Chu also devoted himself to music education. He participated in several orchestras, such as the Toronto Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, North York Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and Windsor Symphony Orchestra. He also took part in the performances of the Broadway musical “Phantom of the Opera” in Toronto, as well as the guest performer of the well-known Nexus Percussion.

While pursuing further study in the US, Mr. Chu learned from Professor Michael Bookspan, a former principal percussionist of Philadelphia Orchestra. He also participated in the performances and recording projects of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, and toured with the orchestra to perform at the Carnegie Hall, New York. During his four years in the US, Mr. Chu received scholarships and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music performance. In 1988, he won first prize in the Vincent Persichetti Alumni Scholarship.