Du Yun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Du Yun
Du Yun in New York City
Background information
Native name	杜韵 (Simplified Chinese), 杜韻 (Traditional Chinese)
Born	(1977-06-18) June 18, 1977 (age 48) Shanghai, China
Genres	Classical, Avant-garde, experimental, punk, crossover, folk, electronic, alternative rock, pop, World
Occupation(s)	composer musician performance artist producer
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Modern Sky, National Sawdust Tracks, Oxingale, Pentatone, New Focus Records, Deutsche Grammophon
Associated acts	International Contemporary Ensemble, Ok Miss

Du Yun (Chinese: 杜韵) is a world-famous composer, musician, and performer who was born in China and now lives in the United States. She is known for mixing many different styles of music, from classical and opera to punk rock and electronic music.

In 2017, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for her opera Angel's Bone. This made her the first Asian woman to ever win this major award for music. She has also received a Grammy nomination and many other honors for her creative work. The UK's Classic FM radio station listed her Pulitzer win as one of the top ten moments that changed classical music in the 2010s.

Early Life and Musical Discovery

Du Yun at the Daguan theatre in Shanghai

Du Yun was born in Shanghai, China. She started playing the piano when she was only four years old. She attended special music schools for her primary and middle school education, where she studied piano and composition (the art of writing music).

Growing up, her parents were factory workers who had not gone to college. Du Yun developed her own taste in music by listening to a wide variety of artists. She collected cassette tapes of Chinese pop singers like Faye Wong and rock musicians like Dou Wei. She also discovered Western artists like Pink Floyd, Björk, and Kraftwerk by buying CDs with interesting covers. These different sounds, from psychedelic rock to trip-hop, influenced her own unique style.

After high school, Du Yun moved to the United States to continue her studies. She earned a music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and later a Ph.D. in music composition from Harvard University.

A Career of Creating and Performing

Du Yun's career is full of exciting projects. She writes music, performs on stage, and teaches other young composers.

Winning the Pulitzer Prize

In 2017, Du Yun won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for her opera Angel's Bone. An opera is like a play where the story is told through singing and music. Angel's Bone is a powerful story about two angels who fall to Earth and are found by a struggling couple. The Pulitzer committee called it a "bold operatic work" that tells a difficult story about how people can be treated poorly in the modern world.

Teaching and Leading

Du Yun is a professor of composition at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, a famous music school. She helps shape the next generation of composers. She was also the Artistic Director of the MATA Festival in New York City, which showcases music from new and young composers from around the world.

Performing with Her Band

Du Yun rehearsing with her band, Ok Miss

Besides writing classical music and operas, Du Yun leads her own band called Ok Miss. The band plays a mix of styles, including art-pop and rock. When she performs, she is known for being very energetic and expressive on stage.

Famous Compositions

Du Yun has written music for many different groups, from solo instruments to full orchestras. Her work has been performed in famous concert halls all over the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Guangzhou Opera House in China.

Operas and Musicals

• Angel's Bone (2016): The opera that won her the Pulitzer Prize.
• Sweet Land (2020): An opera she co-wrote that explores the history of America. It won an award for Best New Opera in 2021.
• Dim Sum Warriors (2017): A fun musical for families based on a graphic novel about kung fu-fighting dumplings. It was a big hit in China.

Orchestral and Chamber Music

Du Yun has written many pieces for orchestras and smaller groups of musicians, known as chamber music. Some of her well-known works include:

• Where We Lost Our Shadows: A piece for orchestra, soloists, and video that tells the story of a Syrian refugee family's journey to Europe.
• Air Glow: A chamber music piece that earned her a Grammy nomination in 2019.
• Kraken: An exciting piece for a full orchestra.

Working for a Better World

Du Yun uses her platform to speak up for fairness and equality. She supports women and people of all backgrounds in the music world. She believes that art can help people see global issues from different perspectives.

She also started a project called FutureTradition. This project helps to preserve and share traditional music from around the world, especially music that is passed down by listening and performing rather than being written down.

Major Awards and Recognition

Du Yun has received many awards for her contributions to music and society.

• Pulitzer Prize for Music (2017) for her opera Angel's Bone.
• Grammy Nomination (2019) for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.
• Guggenheim Fellowship (2018), a grant given to people who have shown exceptional creative ability.
• Great Immigrants Award (2018) from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which honors immigrants who have made America stronger.
• Centennial Medal (2023) from Harvard University, the highest honor given by its graduate school.
• Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2024), a major honor for leaders in arts, science, and business.