Dr Nicholas Ng |
PhD (ANU) | BMus hons (USyd)
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Full CV available here for download:
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Date of Birth
Qualifications
Academic positions
Other positions
Research (Peer-reviewed articles | Conference Papers | Scores | CDs | DVDs)
Performance / Composition (Artistic practice as research)
ORCHESTRAL
VOCAL
SMALL ENSEMBLE
DANCE
THEATRE
INSTALLATIONS & OTHER
Curation/Performance & Project Co-ordination
Referees
Reviews
- 9 September 1979
- H 7 First Avenue, Eastwood NSW 2122 | M +61 4 11 318 696 | E nicholas.ng@sydney.edu.au
- W1 http://nicholasng.com.au | W2 http://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/artist/ng-nicholas
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Music [composition & ethnomusicology] (2003-2008) | Australian National University
- Bachelor of Music [composition & ethnomusicology] – Honours Division I (1998-2001) | University of Sydney
Academic positions
- Music Skills Co-ordinator & Tutor, Open Academy Rising Stars (2016- ) | Sydney Conservatorium of Music (western harmony, traditional to contemporary)
- Erhu Performance Co-ordinator & Tutor, Chinese Music Ensemble (2016- ) | Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Chinese performance practice in small and large ensemble)
- Research Fellow, Music in and from China (2009-2012) | Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (music research & post-graduate supervision)
- Associate Lecturer (2008) | Australian National University School of Music (world music, popular music, western harmony and theory, Chinese music – historical and contemporary issues)
- Sessional Lecturer/Tutor (2004-2007) | Australian National University School of Music (world music, western harmony and theory, Chinese music – historical and contemporary issues, ANU Chinese Music Ensemble director and erhu/pipa instructor)
- Pre-tertiary Teacher (2004-2007) | Australian National University School of Music: MuST (Music for Students with Talent) (pre-tertiary music theory, world music, performance)
Other positions
- Assistant Mandarin teacher (2016-2017) | Conservatorium High School
- Piano Accompanist (2016-2017) | Conservatorium High School
- Music Director & Precentor (2013-2014) | St Mary’s Catholic Parish, South Brisbane
- Class Pianist (2012-2014) | 2Ballerinas
- Music Copyist & Score Editor (2002-2003) | Julie Simonds (Symphony Australia) & Elena Kats-Chernin (Boosey & Hawkes)
- Freelance Performer (solo and ensemble), composer (ensemble, choral, orchestral, dance & theatre), researcher (2000- )
- AMEB Piano & Theory Teacher; Piano Accompanist (1995-2003, 2005-present) | Home Studio (AMEB)
Research (Peer-reviewed articles | Conference Papers | Scores | CDs | DVDs)
- 2016. ‘Falling leaves and new roots: An exploration of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s Chinese Music Ensemble’. Presented at Shifts and Turns: Moving Music, Musicians and Ideas. The University of Adelaide: Musicological Society of Australia 39th National Conference.
- 2013. ‘Cultural Sustainability and Loss in Sydney’s Chinese’. In Stephen Wild, Di Roy, Aaron Corn and Ruth Lee Martin (eds.) Humanities Research 12 (3): 111-124.
- 2013. Encounters: Musical meetings between Australia and China. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
- 2011. ‘Foreign spaces, hybrid places’. In Olivia Khoo (ed.) Contiuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies 25(4): 529-546.
- 2011. ‘I love the starry-sky at night-time: singing and signing in the Buddha’s Light International Association, Sydney’. In Ian Russell and Frances Wilkins (eds.) Musiké: Sacred Singing and Musical Spirituality 5/6: 19-54. Rome-The Hague: Semar.
- 2009. ‘Domesticating the foreign: singing salvation through translation in the Australian Catholic Chinese community’. In Amy CHAN and Alistair Nelson (eds.) Sounds in Translation: 111-144. Canberra: ANU E Press.
- c2006. Bathing the Buddha: for recorder quintet [music]. Armidale, NSW: Orpheus Music. National Library of Australia. National Library of Australia (ANL)
- c2003. Zhuang Biao – mounting a hanging scroll [videorecording] / Sun Yu. Sydney: Art Gallery of New South Wales.
- c2002. Towards a glad tomorrow [sound recording] / Brendan Joyce. Australian Music Centre: Sydney.
Performance / Composition (Artistic practice as research)
ORCHESTRAL
- Secret of the Golden Flower: Spirals for orchestra and electronics (2005)| Melbourne Symphony Orchestra | CUB Malthouse, Melbourne
- The Garden for erhu and symphony orchestra (2008) | Orchestra Victoria with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | Iwaki Auditorium, Melbourne
- The Great Invocation for SATB choir, recorder, erhu, didgeridoo, strings & percussion (2006) | Sangita Instrumental Ensemble & Choir, Foundation for Universal Sacred Music | Merkin Concert Hall, New York City
VOCAL
- Harvest of Endurance for narrator, mixed choir & ensemble [Canberra International Music Festival] (2017) | The Song Company, Luminescence Chamber Singers, Ensemble Offspring & William Yang (narrator) | National Museum of Australia
- Stella Mansions for SATB ensemble (2012) | The Australian Voices | Warner Music Group
- Yue Er Ming for SATB ensemble (2012) | The Australian Voices | Xinghai Concert Hall, Guangzhou, China
- Harvest of Endurance for narrator and mixed choir & ensemble (2010) | The Song Company, The Golden Orb, Vanessa Tomlinson (percussion) with Nicholas Ng & William Yang (narrator) | Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
- Some Yum Cha-Cha for SATB ensemble (2002) | The Song Company | Australian Centre for Photography
- Honey-white Black-stump Koori-kid for SATB ensemble (2000) | The Australian Voices | Queensland University
SMALL ENSEMBLE
- Sai Ma (Horse Race) for mixed ensemble [Four Winds Festival] (2016) | Mixed ensemble with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | Bermagui, Australia
- Assymetron for mixed percussion (2015) | Synergy | Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney
- Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio for mixed ensemble (2015) | Australian Piano Quartet with Nicholas Ng (erhu, hulusi) | University of Technology, Sydney
- High Mountains Flowing Water for erhu, guzheng and piano [ABC Classic FM radio program] (2011) | Nicholas Ng (erhu) and Jingjing Lu (guzheng) with Wade Gregory (piano) | ABC Studios, Brisbane
- Dragonseed in the Antipodes for 2 recorders and 2 guitars [Bergische Biennale für Neue Musik] (2010) | Ensemble Saitenwind | Galerie der Stadt Remscheid, Germany
- Manila Takeaway (2005) | Tugpindulayaw Theatre Company | Belconnen Theatre, Canberra
DANCE
- Dance of the Peacock (2016)| Aruna Gandhi (dancer), Nicholas Ng (erhu) | Peacock Gallery
- Matrameru: electro-acoustic soundtrack with live voice (2012) | Dimity Fraser (dancer) Jordin Steele (voice) | Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
- Three corners (2011) | Jan Baker-Finch (dancer/eurythmist), Nicholas Ng (erhu) | Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
- Select Option: Quantum Leap at the Playhouse (2009) | QL2 Centre for Youth Dance | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre
- Landscape (2006), 10 mins | Australian Choreographic Centre | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre
- Reckless Valour: Quantum Leap at the Playhouse (2005) | Australian Choreographic Centre | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre
- Eternity: Quantum Leap at the Playhouse (2004) | Australian Choreographic Centre with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre
THEATRE
- Descendants of the Dragon [Spot On Festival] (2017) | Milan Monk with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Sydney
- The Bone Feeder [Auckland Arts Festival] (2017)| New Zealand Opera with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland
- Who Speaks for Me? (2016) | Performance 4a/CAAP | Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Sydney
- The Joy of Levitation (2016) [Anywhere Theatre Festival] | MakeShift Dance Collective with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, Brisbane
- Slow Boat (2016)| Playmoves with Nicholas Ng (various instruments and movement) | Flipside Circus, Brisbane
- The Serpent’s Table [Sydney Festival] (2014) | Griffin Theatre & Performance4a with Nicholas Ng (erhu) | (Carriageworks, Sydney)
- Stories Then and Now (2013) | Performance 4a | Carriageworks and Casula Powerhouse, Sydney
- Stories East and West (2010) | Performance 4a & Company B | Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney
- China [PuSh Festival] (2010) | Performing Lines with William Yang (narrator) & Nicholas Ng (erhu, pipa, percussion) | Frederic Wood Theatre, Vancouver, Canada; Theatre Junction GRAND, Calgary, Canada; Usine C, Montreal, Canada
- China [Otago Arts Festival & Nelson Arts Festival] (2008) | Performing Lines with William Yang (narrator) & Nicholas Ng (erhu, pipa, percussion) | Otago Settler’s Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand; Energy Theatre-Founder’s Park, Nelson, New Zealand
- China (2008) | Performing Lines with William Yang (narrator) & Nicholas Ng (erhu, pipa, percussion) | Tou Scene, Stavanger, Norway; BIT Teatergarasjen, Bergen, Norway; Théatre 140, Brussels, Belgium; Museu Fundação Oriente, Lisbon, Portugal
INSTALLATIONS & OTHER
- Lustre: Pearling & Australia (2015) | Mayu Kunamori (artist) | Western Australian Museum
- Hu: In Meditation [7th Asia Pacific Triennial] (2012) | Parastou Forouhar (artist) & Cieavash Arean (kemanche) | Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Art Gallery
- Mansudae Mural [6th Asia Pacific Triennial] (2009) | Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Art Gallery
- Star Dance (2009) | Maher Kheir (poet) | Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, Sydney
- The Entrance & Bodhi Sutra: meditation on the breath of time [The Lost Buddhas Exhibition] (2008)| Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
- Dealing with Disasters: The Silent Achievers in Public Health (2018) | Centre for Environment and Public Health & Griffith Film School
- China to Australia (2011) | Indian Oceans Production & SBS
- Prelude before the Bridge (2002) | Sydney-Asia Pacfic Film Festival
Curation/Performance & Project Co-ordination
- Sacred Music of China—Sydney Sacred Music Festival | Ashfield Town Hall (September 2018)
- SCM Chinese Music Ensemble—Vivid Festival | Sydney Conservatorium of Music (May 2017)
- East meets West | Sydney Conservatorium of Music (April 2017)
- Asian Music Ensembles at the Conservatorium | Sydney Conservatorium of Music (May, October 2016- )
- Devotional and Traditional Music of Bali and China | Sydney Sacred Music Festival, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (September 2016)
- Encounters: India—Meetings in Australian Music | Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (9-19 May 2013)
- BrisAsia Festival | Brisbane City Council (2012, 2013- )
- Music in the Gardens | Brisbane City Council (14 April – 10 June 2012)
- Shanghai Club: Chinese jazz from the 1920s-1950s | Blue Lotus @ The Famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne Arts Centre (March 2013)
- Sacred Tapestry | Parramatta Riverside Theatre (September 2011)
- Music of the ‘Other’ | Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (27 April 2012, August 2011, September 2010)
- Encounters: Musical meetings between Australia and China | Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (7-12 May 2010)
Referees
- Dr Catherine Ingram | Lecturer in Ethnomusicology, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney | E catherine.ingram@sydney.edu.au | T + 61 2 9351 1235 | F + 61 2 9351 7340 | M + 61 422 957 323
- Prof Anna Reid | Dean, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney | E anna.reid@sydney.edu.au | T +61 2 9351 1255
- Annette Shun Wah | Executive Producer, Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (CAAP) | W https://www.caap.org.au/about-us/the-caap-team/23-annette-shun-wah-1 | T +61 2 8571 9196
- William Yang | photographer, storyteller | 2/23 Ann Street, Arncliffe NSW 2205 | M + 61 400 123 560 | E williamy@ihug.com.au
- Associate Professor Stephen Wild | E saw151@bigpond.com | T +61 402 914 565
- Dr Ruth Lee Martin (PhD ANU) | Senior Manager, Australian-American Fulbright Commission | PO Box 9541 Deakin ACT 2600 | E ruth.leemartin@fulbright.com.au | T +61 2 6260 4460
- A/Prof Vanessa Tomlinson | Head of Percussion, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University | E v.tomlinson@griffith.edu.au | T +61 412 466 761
- Dr Kim Cunio, DMA (UWS) | Lecturer, Composition, Australian National University | E kim.cunio@anu.edu.au | M + 61 423 050 140
- Prof Anne Boyd AM, PhD (York) | Pro Dean (Academic), Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney | E a.boyd@usyd.edu.au | T + 61 2 9351 1274/6947 | F + 61 2 9351 7340 | M + 61 412 217 396
- Ross Edwards AM, DMus (USyd) MMus (UAde) | 12 Ennis Street, Balmain NSW 2041 | W www.rossedwards.com | E redwards@wix.com.au
- Elena Kats-Chernin | Composer, Boosey & Hawkes | E e.kcher@optusnet.com.au | M +61 411 329 393
- Prof Huib Schippers (PhD UvA) | Curator & Director, Smithsonian Folkways| E schippersh@si.edu
- Vincent Plush (Curator, ENCOUNTERS: INDIA) | vincentplush@msn.com | M + 61 410 683 668
- John Davis | Chief Executive Officer, Australian Music Centre Ltd | E j.davis@australianmusiccentre.com.au| T + 61 2 9247 4677 | F + 61 2 9241 2873
- William Yang | photographer, storyteller | 2/23 Ann Street, Arncliffe NSW 2205 | M + 61 400 123 560 | E williamy@ihug.com.au
- Ruth Osborne | Director, Quantum Leap Centre for Youth Dance | E director@ql2.org.au | T + 61 2 6247 3103 | F + 61 2 6247 2013
Reviews
- Erik Griswold announces, “Welcome to the States”, and Alison St Ledger begins wordlessly singing “Amazing Grace” to a seamless accompaniment by Nicholas Ng on erhu. Über-chestnut done ecumenical gospel lite...Stop, and Pirrie-the-usher wanders about pulling down bits of bunting and dumping it on the floor to a slow blues soundtrack of melodica and erhu...Then it’s trumpet, voice and erhu again sounding out a listless blues.
- Steve Newcomb and Erik Griswold played off each other wonderfully, while Nick Ng moved intriguingly between the blues and more minor-modal, 'eastern sounding' scales. ~ Liam Flenady, Resonate Magazine | 16 October, 2009
- The erhu is at the centre of the composition, again framed by Western instruments and tonalities. Gonging and glissandi, some striking, deep, flowing saxophone and jaunty flute and clarinet lines provide rich interplay. In a second movement solo, the erhu, increasingly and fascinatingly distorted, is amplified dramatically against pre-recorded sound (not unlike deep breathing and percolation) suggestive of physical interiority. The work then becomes almost meditative before dancing to a finish…a satisfying multimedia experience: an ambitious concert built thematically around light (actual and metaphysical) but also, for the most part, dexterously realised in inventive staging and engaging projections. ~ Keith Gallasch, RealTime Arts | August-September, 2009
- Nicholas Ng’s urhu [Chinese ‘violin’] is a beautiful complement in this space, gentle yet also sharp against the jerkiness of this dance. ~ Zsuzsanna Soboslay, art moves (RealTime Arts) | December-January, 2008
- ...the live Chinese music backing…is beautifully delivered by Nicholas Ng. ~ Simon Ferguson, The Daily Telegraph | 23 March, 2007
- Nicholas has shown amazing skill in interpreting the ideas and requirements of the choreographer, connecting to the overarching theme yet still creating individual pieces that are hauntingly beautiful, delicately intricate, powerful or profound in impact. His sections always reflect the theme perfectly. Nicholas is also very accomplished in playing a beautiful Chinese instrument all an erhu. In 2004 he played the erhu live on stage, which created a stunning mood as the dancers worked around him in a piece called Devotion. ~ Ruth Osborne, The Australian Choreographic Ensemble| 3 March, 2006
- Recorded sound was given a short but beautiful pause when a solo erhu player (Nicholas Ng) appeared during Passion [Devotion]. ~ Larry Ruffell, The Canberra Times, p. 24 | 30 July 2004
