Dr Nicholas Ng is a composer, performer and researcher interested in discovering new ways to connect with the ancient past, nature, and the spiritual world through traditional and contemporary sound.

Nicholas has appeared at Sydney Festival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts (Brussels) and international festivals around Australia, New Zealand, North America, Canada and Europe.

Heard on ABC television and radio, and published by Orpheus Music, Nicholas has written for The Song Company, The Australian Voices, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Chronology Arts, Art Gallery of NSW, Queensland Art Gallery, QL2 Dance, Griffin Theatre and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance.

Nicholas co-established the ANU Chinese Music Ensemble (2003). He later curated the festival ENCOUNTERS: China (2010) and edited Encounters: Musical Meetings between Australia and China (2013).

Now based in Sydney, he teaches erhu and harmony at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he co-directs the Conservatorium's very first 30-piece Chinese Music Ensemble. He will soon take up a position as Research Fellow at the Australia-China Centre for Arts and Culture (Western Sydney University).

Recent productions include ‘Slow Boat’ (Playmoves) and 'The Bone Feeder' (NZ Opera). 

Connecting with the ancient past through contemporary sound”

PLAY TRAILER

​Credit: Nicholas Goodridge

Major Compositions | Performances

Sydney Sacred Music Festival
The Inner Chamber, for 2 erhus, 1 zhonghu and cello (2018), 20 mins

Centre for Environment and Public Health & Griffith Film School​
Dealing with Disasters: The Silent Achievers in Public Health (2018), 25 mins

New Zealand Opera & Auckland Arts Festival
The Bone Feeder [Auckland Arts Festival] (2017) | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland

Parramatta Riverside Theatres
Descendants of the Dragon [Spot On Festival] (2017) | Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Sydney

PlayMoves
Slow Boat for physical theatre score for 5 vocalists and mixed ensemble (2016- ) | Flipside Circus, Queensland Theatre, 60 mins

Griffin Theatre & Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (CAAP)
The Serpent’s Table [Sydney Festival] (2014) | (Carriageworks, Sydney), 60 mins

Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Art Gallery
Mansudae Mural [6th Asia Pacific Triennial] (2009) | Gallery of Modern Art, 10 mins

Art Gallery of NSW
The Entrance & Bodhi Sutra: meditation on the breath of time [The Lost Buddhas Exhibition] (2008)| Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 15 mins

QL2 Centre for Youth Dance
Reckless Valour: Quantum Leap at the Playhouse (2005) | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre, 25 mins

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra 
Secret of the Golden Flower: Spirals for orchestra and electronics (2005), 12 mins

Orchestra Victoria
The Garden, for erhu and symphony orchestra (2008), 10 mins

Foundation for Universal Sacred Music
The Great Invocation for SATB choir, soprano recorder, erhu, didgeridoo, violin, viola, `cello, double bass & 2 percussionists (2006), 8 mins

The Song Company
Some Yum Cha-Cha for Soprano 1 & 2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone & Bass. Commissioned by The Song Company (2002), 7 mins

Credit: Sharka Bosakova

UPCOMING EVENTS

Awards

1st Prize

Bathing the Buddha for descant, treble, tenor, bass and contrabass recorders (2005)
Orpheus Publications Composition Competition Prize ​
​

In Meditation for erhu & tape (2004)​
De Viana Liturgical Music Prize
​St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra

Opium Dreaming for string quartet (2000)
Young Composer’s Salon of the 11th Sydney Spring Festival
​Sydney Opera House

Highly Commended

• The Honey-white Black-stump Koori-kid for SATB choir (2002)
• The Australian Voices Young Composer Award

More information

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