Chieh Huang is an accomplished composer and scholar currently completing her Ph.D. in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology at the University of California, Irvine, with an expected graduation date of May 2025. Her working dissertation, titled “Weaving Worlds: The Interlacing of Atayal Language and Heritage into Contemporary Composition,” reflects her commitment to integrating Indigenous cultural elements into modern musical frameworks. Under the guidance of a distinguished committee, including Professor Michael Dessen, Professor Amy Bauer, Professor Rajna Swaminathan, and Professor Tiara Na’puti, Chieh is exploring the rich tapestry of Atayal heritage through her compositions.

Chieh holds a Master of Music in Percussion/Marimba Performance from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Music from the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities. This unique combination of disciplines informs her artistic vision and enhances her analytical approach to music composition. As an Associate in Music at UC Irvine, she has designed an original General Education course titled “Sounds of Formosa,” scheduled for Fall 2024. Her teaching experience also includes serving as a Teaching Assistant for various courses such as Musicianship, Music Theory, and Intro to Music, where she engages students with theoretical and practical aspects of music.

Chieh’s contributions to the field extend beyond teaching. Her academic contributions are substantial, with numerous publications and presentations at prestigious conferences worldwide. Her research on Indigenousity and music has garnered attention, establishing her as a leading voice in her field. Her research has also been presented at prestigious conferences worldwide, including the New Perspectives on the Musical Analysis of the Voice Conference in France and the Sound Check! Festival of Asian American Music.

In terms of her musical output, Chieh has an impressive array of recordings that showcase her versatility as a composer. Her upcoming album “The Weaver,” an a cappella work set for release in August 2024, alongside the single “Chasing Threads,” featuring vibraphone and electronics, exemplifies her innovative approach to blending traditional sounds with modern techniques. Other notable recordings include “Let There Be Light II,” “Your Cup of Coffee,” and “The Sleepy Sheep’s Sleepy Music Vol. 1,” each reflecting her unique voice as a composer.

Chieh’s commissioned works highlight her ability to create impactful music across various platforms. For instance, her piece “Music Box” was commissioned by Corcoran for their “Be Home” campaign and was utilized across paid web and social media channels in the US, Caribbean, and Europe. She has also been selected as an Artist in Residence at Arts Letters & Numbers for June 2024 in Averill Park, NY. Additionally, her instrumental piece “Falling In” was featured in Google News Initiative Case Studies and used globally across social media platforms. Other significant commissions include “Etude No. 12” for the Greenacre Foundation’s worldwide event and “Journey” for iRhythm Technologies’ Patient Stories project.

Chieh has received numerous fellowships and grants that underscore her dedication to research and teaching at UC Irvine. Notable awards include the DTEI Graduate Scholars award for inclusive design training and multiple Research and Innovation Grants to support her projects on the Atayal language and heritage. The Medici Scholarship has also recognized her work on capturing the sounds of Amis and Atayal cultures.

Her performance accolades further solidify her reputation within the music community; she has won top prizes at both the Southern California Marimba Competition and the First Taiwan National Marimba Competition. These achievements not only showcase her skill as a performer but also enhance her credibility as a composer who understands the nuances of performance practice.

Fluent in English and Chinese, Chieh Huang is dedicated to safeguarding Atayal heritage through music and fostering cross-cultural dialogue through her work. As she continues to develop her artistic voice while contributing significantly to academia and performance, Chieh stands out as a dynamic force in contemporary music composition. Her unique blend of cultural sensitivity, technical skill, and scholarly rigor positions her as a leading figure poised to make lasting contributions to both music education and Indigenous representation in contemporary art forms.