Draft:Dai Wei (composer)

Dai Wei was born in Guangdong, China. After completing her undergraduate studies, she came to the United States for study, where she has lived since. This blend of Chinese and American cultural experiences has deeply influenced her music, giving it a vibrant, diverse style that defies traditional labels{{Cite web |title=Dai Wei |url=https://music.princeton.edu/people/dai-wei/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=Department of Music at Princeton University |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=New classical music for 2023 |url=https://routenote.com/blog/new-classical-music-for-2023/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=RouteNote Blog |language=en-US}}. In 2020, she was awarded the CANOA Commission (Composing a New Orchestra Audience) from the American Composer Orchestra Underwood New Music Reading{{Cite web |title=Two Composers Awarded Commissions from 2020 Underwood Readings |url=https://www.americancomposers.org/post/two-composers-awarded-commissions-from-2020-underwood-readings |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.americancomposers.org |language=en}}. In 2022, Dai Wei was featured in The Washington Post’s "22 for 22": Composers and Performers to Watch this year.”{{Cite web |last=Brodeur |first=Michael Andor |orig-date=2022-01-24 |title=Perspective {{!}} 22 for '22: Composers and performers to watch this year |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/01/22/2022-composers-up-and-coming/ |issn=0190-8286}} In 2024, she was appointed as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's 2024-25 Sound Investment Composer{{Cite web |last=Orchestra |first=Los Angeles Chamber |date=2024-08-06 |title=Dai Wei is LACO's 2024-25 Sound Investment Composer |url=https://www.laco.org/dai-wei-is-lacos-2024-25-sound-investment-composer/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Fresh Faces at Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra |url=https://www.sfcv.org/articles/music-news/fresh-faces-los-angeles-chamber-orchestra |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.sfcv.org |language=en}}. Her symphonic work The Dancing Moonlight, composed in 2017, has been performed by dozens of orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Link Up Orchestra, Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier in France, Utah Symphony Orchestra, and The Philharmonia Orchestra in London, among others{{Cite web |title=DSO to perform five free community concerts in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Waterford, and Ypsilanti, September 22-25, powered by DTE Energy Foundation |url=https://www.dso.org/watch-listen-and-connect/newsroom-2/dso-to-perform-five-free-community-concerts-in-farmington-hills-detroit-waterford-ypsilanti-and-st-clair-shores-september-22-25-powered-by-dte-energy-foundation |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Detroit Symphony Orchestra |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Dancing Moonlight minn Dai Wei |url=https://www.operabase.com/works/the-dancing-moonlight-wei-dai-12195/mt |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Operabase |language=mt}}{{Cite web |last=nstarling |date=2020-03-06 |title=10 Contemporary Female Composers That We Love |url=https://utahsymphony.org/explore/2020/03/10-contemporary-female-composers-that-we-love/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Utah Symphony |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Orchestra Unwrapped: London |url=https://philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/211111-orchestra-unwrapped-london/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Philharmonia |language=en-GB}}.

Beyond composition, Dai Wei is also a vocalist. Her singing style is rooted in pop techniques, and she explores a range of vocal expressions across different pieces, such as ethnic, primal, and throat singing{{Cite web |title=Dai Wei |url=https://www.laco.org/people/dai-wei/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra |language=en-US}}. When she combines her voice with her compositions, there’s a seamless blend of seriousness and lightness, giving her work a strong and distinctive personal style{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Chrysanthe |date=2023-05-08 |title=Dai Wei Finds Freedom in Expression in Unconventional Career, with New Orchestral Commission |url=https://icareifyoulisten.com/2023/05/dai-wei-finds-freedom-expression-unconventional-career-new-orchestral-commission/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=I CARE IF YOU LISTEN |language=en-US}}. Furthermore, she has been invited multiple times as a vocalist to perform on others' works{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.handmaidentheopera.com/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=아가씨 Handmaiden opera |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Media-Based |url=https://www.yihanmusic.com/film-multimedia |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=CHEN YIHAN |language=en}}.

Dai Wei holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree in Music Composition from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She later earned an Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Music Composition at Princeton University.

This is an eleven-minute piece for voice, string quartet, and electronics, dedicated to those who donate their organs and extend others' lives. The piece combines her pre-recorded, layered vocals drifting dreamily with the live string quartet, alongside her own live throat singing, creating a rich, immersive sound experience. This piece has been performed by renowned ensembles such as the Aizuri Quartet{{Cite web |title=Commissions |url=https://www.aizuriquartet.com/commissions |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Aizuri Quartet |language=en-US}}, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra{{Cite web |title=CURRENT: Equilibrium |url=https://www.laco.org/events/current-equilibrium/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra |language=en-US}}, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra{{Cite web |title=TMC FCM-July 27, 2024 {{!}} Tanglewood |url=https://www.bso.org/events/tmc-fcm-july-27-2024 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=BSO |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=David Noel |date=2024-07-24 |title=PREVIEW: Pulitzer-winning composer Tania León and rocker Steven Mackey direct Tanglewood's annual Festival of Contemporary Music, July 25 through 29 |url=https://theberkshireedge.com/preview-pulitzer-winning-composer-tania-leon-and-rocker-steven-mackey-direct-tanglewoods-annual-festival-of-contemporary-music-july-25-through-29/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=The Berkshire Edge |language=en-US}}. The Washington Post described the piece as "stunning".

This piece was commissioned by Hub New Music for flute, clarinet, violin, and cello and premiered in 2021. This title came from a phrase of a poem written by the Persian poet  Rūmī. This piece is based on Dai Wei's observation and imagination of the stars.

This orchestral piece was composed for the Chinese New Year in 2017. Inspired by an old Chinese saying, "We are always looking at the same moon, regardless of where we are," it was created by Dai Wei shortly after she left her hometown. The composition radiates a resilient energy, combining nostalgia with a spirit of celebration and vitality{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Amy |date=2023-01-09 |title=April 22, 2023 Program Notes |url=https://www.wfso.org/april-2023-program-notes/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra |language=en-US}}. Since its premiere, it has been performed in numerous concerts worldwide{{Cite news |title=The Washington Post |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/10/04/timpani-philip-glass-concerto/ |archive-date= |access-date=2024-11-14}}{{Cite web |last=Kohn |first=Rita |date=2024-11-24 |title=Out and about with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra |url=https://www.nuvo.net/arts/out-and-about-with-the-indianapolis-chamber-orchestra/article_361bd134-aa8f-11ef-8c1c-67466b859aea.html |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=NUVO |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bachanov |first=Arlene |title=Adrian Symphony Orchestra's Nov. 13 concert features LA Philharmonic principal violinist |url=https://www.lenconnect.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/11/08/adrian-symphony-orchestra-violinist-martin-chalifour/69626322007/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=The Daily Telegram |language=en-US}}. In 2023, this piece was commissioned by Carnegie Hall to create a new version for orchestra and student participation, which premiered at Carnegie Hall in May of the same year{{Cite web |title=Link Up: The Orchestra Moves |url=https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/Press/Press-Releases/2023/05/02/NYC-Students-Participate-in-Interactive-Link-Up-Concerts-at-Carnegie-Hall |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.carnegiehall.org}}

This is a piece for chamber orchestra and electronics, commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra{{Cite web |title=Five Things to Know About the American Composers Orchestra |url=https://www.carnegiehall.org/Explore/Articles/2024/02/27/Five-Things-to-Know-About-the-American-Composers-Orchestra |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.carnegiehall.org}}. Dai Wei was invited to compose the piece following her award of the 29th CANOA Commission (Composing a New Orchestra Audience). This piece premiered in 2022 at Carnegie Hall under the direction of conductor Marin Alsop{{Cite web |title=American Composers Orchestra |url=https://inline.carnegiehall.org/?c=carnegiehall&e=pnsafetynet2023&ver=v3-aspnet-3.7.0&cver=200&man=safety&t=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carnegiehall.org%2FCalendar%2F2022%2F03%2F25%2FAmerican-Composers-Orchestra-0730PM |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.carnegiehall.org}}, with subsequent West Coast and Midwest premieres by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra{{Cite web |last=Orchestra |first=Los Angeles Chamber |date=2023-10-10 |title=Press Release - Dimensions: Hadelich + Mendelssohn |url=https://www.laco.org/press-release-dimensions-hadelich-mendelssohn/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra |language=en-US}} and the Michigan Philharmonic.

This piece for orchestra and electronics premiered in 2019 in collaboration with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=Orchestral Music by Curtis Composers |url=https://www.curtis.edu/event/orchestral-music-by-curtis-composers-2019-03-30/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Curtis Institute of Music |language=en-US}}. Inspired by The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, Dai Wei delved into profound reflections on the soul and reincarnation, which led to the creation of this work. Dai Wei won the Underwood New Music Readings through this work{{Cite web |title=29th Underwood New Music Readings (2019-2020) |url=https://www.americancomposers.org/performances-events/29th-underwood-new-music-readings-2019-2020 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.americancomposers.org |language=en}}

This is an 8-minute piece for Cello, Clarinet, Piano, and Viola. The inspiration for this piece comes from witnessing the mandala-shaped bases of temples in Nepal remaining intact after the 2015 earthquake{{Cite web |title=Mandalas in the Rubble – CreArtBox Digital Concert Hall |url=https://play.creartbox.nyc/title/mandalas-in-the-rubble/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |language=en-US}}. In 2021, this piece was performed at Lincoln Center in New York, in a program that also featured works by renowned artists such as Tan Dun, Zhou Long, and Wu Man.

== Early life: Mando-Pop ==

In 2007, Dai Wei participated in China’s major televised music competition {{ill|My Show (Chinese television show)|lt=My Show|zh|我型我秀}} and made it to the national top 15, gaining widespread recognition{{Cite web |title=图文：我型我秀20强晋级赛--11号演员戴薇演唱_影音娱乐_新浪网 |url=https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/p/2007-07-14/00251637094.shtml |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=ent.sina.com.cn}}. During the competition, she performed several of her original songs, which were highly praised, marking the beginning of her songwriting career{{Cite web |last=sina_mobile |date=2007-08-04 |title=图文：型秀20进15(上)--演员戴薇演唱《翅膀》 |url=https://ent.sina.cn/tv/tv/2007-08-04/detail-icesifvx9929467.d.html?from=wap |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=ent.sina.cn}}. After the competition, she signed with {{ill|Linfair Records|lt=|zh|福茂唱片}}, becoming a Mando-pop songwriter{{Cite web |date=2023-11-06 |title=戴薇演唱新作 登上洛加大音樂廳 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%88%B4%E8%96%87%E6%BC%94%E5%94%B1%E6%96%B0%E4%BD%9C-%E7%99%BB%E4%B8%8A%E6%B4%9B%E5%8A%A0%E5%A4%A7%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82%E5%BB%B3-060802730.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGnhhei3w64y0WUWb5g_EfXozQ2Gmhqjk30a-sQKeBZo5TlqbIA_TGELpXHWuCqIj3L6KNsHoDx3vVUqLwaf7hSma3vzV4GDCSOinBYo3NUNNekL3D4lihciAAGJp9HkUgMUUh3SFGKtfGISi64cKV_02mS0tqW75FyUheaPCDtp |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Yahoo News |language=zh-Hant-TW}}

To date, she has collaborated with prominent producers and artists such as Jonathan Lee, {{ill|Daryl Yao|lt=|zh|姚若龍}}, Aska Yang, Rainie Yang, and Yisa Yu, releasing numerous songs. Her works have been distributed globally by labels such as Sony, Universal, and Ocean Butterflies. Representative Mandopop works include Aska Yang’s Runaway, Yisa Yu’s Me, and Rainie Yang’s Unspoken Remembrance, among others.

{{Infobox person

| name = Dai Wei

| alma_mater = {{Unbulleted list|Princeton University||Curtis Institute of Music| University of North Carolina at Greensboro|Xinghai Conservatory of Music|}}

| occupation = Composer, Vocalist

| website = https://www.daiweicomposer.com/

| module =

}}

{{reflist}}