Chronology


2018 On October 10, the orchestra piece "Heritage of Hakka" was world-premiered at the opening ceremony of the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), performed by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and the Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra with Wen-Pin Chien conducting. On July 1, "Guitar concerto No. 1 - Remembrance of Hometown" was recorded and produced by PARMA Recordings in Croatia, performed by guitarist Pedro Ribeiro Rodrigues and the Croatian Chamber Orchestra with Miran Vaupotić conducting.

2017 On November 5, piano solo pieces "Yearning" and "Snow on the River" were world-premiered by the British concert pianist Martin Jones at Jamestown, Rhode Island, with a new CD release "The American Music Series CD vol. 3" by MahinMedia. On October 28, the Alumni Concert, produced by Prof. Yann-Jong Hwang was held at the Tainan University of Technology. Ssu-Yu's song cycle "A Praise to the Southern Island" includes 6 songs: 1) Gateway Through the Mirror, 2) Dreaming of My Mirror, 3) The Children in the Mirror, 4) Mist, 5) Golden River, 6) For My Hometown, with all lyrics by Xiang Yang except song no. 5 by Yaw-Chien Fang. The songs were preformed by sophomore Prof. Giulia Kuo and accompanied by pianist Prof. Tina Shao. A CD entitled "Contemporary Art Songs in Taiwanese by Woman Composers" was released. On August 17, Ssu-Yu gave a talk entitled "About 'Knot' - the Commissioned Orchestra Piece for the 'Symphonic Taiwan' Project" at the 2017 Symposium for Music Creativity and Development, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Wufeng, Taiwan. On May 26, symphony orchestra piece "Knot" was world-premiered at Chung-Hsing Hall, Taichung, Taiwan, by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, with Kai-Hsi Fan conducting; Another performance was at the Northern Miao-Li Art Center, Miao-Li, Taiwan, on May 27. On April, Ssu-Yu was featured in "Music Browser" magazine of the National Taiwan Symphomy Orchester, vol. 181, interviewed by Ms. Jiaxin Lai. On April, symphony orchestra piece "Red Moon" was released in a Ablaze Records CD, performed by Brno Philharmonic Orchestra with Mikel Toms conducting. On March 28 & April 1, piano arrangement "Jasmine of June" was broadcast on Radio Taiwan International (Rti) channel Hakka DJ Bar, hosted by Ms. Min-Ying Wang. On Feb. 11, cello solo piece " Docking Overnight by Maple Bridge" was performed at the Verdant Vibes concert at Music Mansion, Providence, Rhode Island, performed by cellist Megan Koch. On Jan. 12, Ssu-Yu was interviewed on the Radio Station FM 91.3 Bravo (National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra) by Mr. Yang Zhao. On Jan. 6, Ssu-Yu was the featured composer on " Listening to Ladies".

2016 On December 15, the 3rd movement of "The Saga of An Assassin" was performed at the Kaohsiung Music Hall by Prof. Min-Yuan Lin's Hotshot Cello Choir. On December 12, "Spring Kaleidoscope" for two pianos (eight hands) was world-premiered by Sinfonietta Sensation Piano Quartet (Quei Lih Chen, Ting Wen Shao, Nam Yeung, and Shun-Cheng Yang). November 10, piano solo piece "Snow on the River" was world-premiered at Radford University, Virginia, USA by pianist Martin Jones. In December, "Meditation" for solo guitar was published in Spain by Chilean guitarist Marcelo De La Puebla in his album "Puentes". On November 28, Ssu-Yu's wind band compositions were featured on Wind Band Press (WBP) of Japan, editor Shuhei Umemoto. In November, "Red Cliffs" for wind band was selected as a semi-finalist in the band division of The American Prize national non-profit competition in the performing arts; "Red Moon" for orchestra was selected as semi-finalist in The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award in the performance of American Music. On September 15, guitar solo piece "Colorful Leaves" was completed for the RCS contemporary guitar project to be premiered by guitarist Marco Ramelli. In September, "Compassion of the Buddhist" and "Heart Sutra" were released in a CD produced by Ven. Master Tsung Tzu Shih at Xuanzang Temple by Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan. On March 12, guitar duet "Rainfall at the Harbor" was performed by the Sheu Pettit Duo (Connie Sheu and Adam Pettit) on the American Guitar Society Concert Series at Los Angeles Valley College, Valley Glen, CA . In March, marimba duet "Fiesta of the Spirits" was a semi finalist in the 2016 Maurice Ravel International Composition Competition. On February 18, cello octet "Saga of an Assassin" was performed in Hsin-Chu by Tsinghua University String Ensemble. On January 13, "Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto" for wind band was performed at the National Concert Hall, Taipei by the Navy Band and NSO concert master violin soloist Ting-Yu Wu, with Prof. Lian-Chang Kuo conducting. at the National Concert Hall, Taipei.

2015 On December 22, "Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto" for wind band was performed at the Kaohsiung Culture Center by the Navy Band and NSO concert master violin soloist Ting-Yu Wu, with Prof. Lian-Chang Kuo conducting. On October 7, cello solo piece "Docking Overnight by Maple Bridge" was premiered in USA by cellist Prof. Kristen Yeon-Ji Yun at Colorado Mesa University. On October 4, guitar solo piece "Distant Memory" was world-premiered by guitarist Dr. Yi-Fang Ko at the Gang Shan Culture Center in Kaohsiung. On August 28, guitar solo piece "Hope You Be Home Soon" was performed by guitarist Dr. Yi-Fang Ko at Warming House in Taipei. In August, guitar duet "Rainfall at the Harbor" was published by the international literary journal The Flexible Persona in conjunction with the short story "Surviving Amelia" by Naomi Rand. In August, Ssu-Yu was s selected as a composer semi-finalist for the chamber music professional division of American Prize for her guitar octet "Enchanted Island". On May 26, "The Saga of an Assassin" for cello octet was performed by Tsinghua University String Ensemble at Tsinghua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan. On May 24, "Butterfly Lovers" for violin and wind ensemble performed by Brigham Young University - Idaho University Band, at Barrus Concert Hall, Rexburg, Idaho.

2014 On July 7, "Enchanted Island" for guitar octet was world-premiered at the Isidora Zegers recital hall, Santiago, Chile by the Guitar Ensemble of Chile, partially supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan ROC and the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs. On July 3, "Hakka Folksong Suite" and "Taiwanese Folksong Suite" were performed at the Music Festival of Estonia by Jungli Youth Orchestra with Prof. Joe Yamaji conducting. On June 15, "Hakka Folksong Suite" and "Taiwanese Folksong Suite" were performed at Northern Miaoli Art Center, Taiwan, by Su-In Lu (soprano) and Jungli Youth Orchestra with Prof. Joe Yamaji conducting. On May 31, "Southern City Night" and "Hakka Folksong Suite" were performed at the Kaohsiung Dadong Culture Center by soprano Mei-Li Chuang accompanied by the Formosa Youth Orchestra. On May 14, "Compassion of the Buddhist" was recorded, with Ven. Master Tsung Tzu Shih (lyrics), Man-Fei Liao (soprano), and Shu-Feng Tsai (synthesis). On April 27, "Docking Overnight by Maple Bridge" for solo cello was world-premiered by Chien-Hui Yang in her graduation recital at Tainan National University of the Arts, advised by Pei-Chin Shi.

2013 On November 26, a wind ensemble piece "Ancestral Tune" was world-premiered by Tao Yuan Symphonic Band with Amy Chang conducting, at the Chung-Li Arts Hall, Taiwan. Another performance was at Taoyuan Cultural Center on November 27. On September 21, three pieces "Grand Music of Tang" were performed by guitarist Ye Fan at the Hong Kong International Guitar Festival. On August 20, "The Spring of Tai-Ba-Lang" for guitar and double bass was premiered at the National Concert Hall in Taipei by the Yen Ensemble (Hsiao-Yen Cheng, double bass and Meng-Feng Su, guitar). On August 13, guitar duets "Shining Star" and "Summer Afternoon" were premiered by Ye Fan and Gilbert Imperial at the Chartres-Dimanche music salon in Shanghai, and at the Shanghai Concert Hall on August 14. On June 30, the arrangement "Hakka Song Suite" was performed by soprano Mei-Li Chuang and the Formosa Youth Orchestra in Yokohama, Japan. On May 30, three pieces from "Grand Music of Tang" were performed by guitarist Ye Fan in Bern, Switzerland; the selected pieces were No. 1. Dear Enclosure, No. 7. Welcome Rain in a Spring Night, and No. 8. Drinking Alone with the Moon. On May 1, Naluwan Marimba Concerto was performed by the National Youth Band of Canada, with Jonathan Dagenais conducting and marimba soloist D'Arcy Gray at Convocation Hall, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick.

2012 On April 14, selected pieces of "Grand Music of Tang" were performed by classical guitarist Professor Danny Yeh at the Qin Dao Music Hall. At the Dyadic Duo Reunion Concert on July 19, Grand Music of Tang No. 1 "Deer Enclosure" and arranged piece "Anticipating the Spring Breeze" were performed by guitarists Andrew Maddock and Ying Sun at the Kingston Library, Rhode Island. On September 13, "Naluwan Marimba Concerto" piano version was performed by Ying-Chun Chen (marimba) and Chien-Fen Chen (piano) at Guangfu Auditorium, Taipei Zhongshan Hall.

2011 On June 22, "Misty Tango" for flute and guitar was world-premiered at the Hsinchu Culture Center, performed by flutist Sophia Lin and guitarist Meng-Feng Su. Another performance was at the Taipei National Concert Hall on July 24. On July 7, "Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto" (wind orchestra) was performed at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) in Jiayi, Taiwan, by the violin soloist Ting-Yu Wu and the Taiwan Wind Ensemble with Prof. Lian-Chang Kuo conducting. In September, a new piece "Tai Chi" was dedicated to the Aranjuez Guitar Duo (guitar and altus guitar). On October 27, "Reflections" was world-premiered by the Yen Ensemble at the Hsinchu Culture Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan. This was also the preimiere of the Yen Ensemble, which consists of two violins, a double-bass, a guitar, and percussions, with Ssu-Yu as the resident composer. Ssu-Yu's "A Dream of Red Mansions" was also  performed. Another concert was held at the National Concert Hall in Taipei on November 9.

2010 On April 24, symphony orchestra piece "Red Moon" won the first National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Call for Score and was world-premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra in Taipei, with Günther Herbig conducting. During April 5-11, Günther Herbig International Conducting Workshop was held at the Taipei National Concert Hall. Ssu-Yu's symphony orchestra piece "Red Moon" was selected as part of the instructional repertoire.

2009 On May 1, "Capriccio of Wind" for flute ensemble was world-premiered at the Novel Hall, Taipei, Taiwan, performed by the Tone-Melody Flute Ensemble. On July 4-7, the arranged flute solo pieces "Due Due Dong" and "Fantasy of Raining Night Flowers" were performed by flutist Sophia Lin at the National American History Museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina (7/4) and the Buenos Aires Conservatory of Music (7/7). On July 12, the wind orchestra work "Wind City Symphony Poem" was performed by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra with Prof. Lian-Chang Kuo conducting, at the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall, Taichung, Taiwan. On July 15-16, the wind orchestra work "Wind City Symphony Poem" was at the Beijing National Centre for the Performing Arts (7/15) and the concert hall of the Affiliated High School of the Central Conservatory of Music (7/16) as part of the Beijing International Band Festival, proformed by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra with Prof. Lian-Chang Kuo conducting. On July 22, "Capriccio of Wind" for flute and Guitar was world-premiered in a multimedia concert at the Taipei National Concert Hall performed by flutist Sophia Lin and guitarist Meng-Feng Su. 

2008 On July 12, the arranged flute solo piece "Fantasy of Rainy Night Flowers" was world-premiered in Taipei, Taiwan, performed by flutist Sophia Lin. On October 17, URI Professor Emeritus Dr. Geoffrey Gibbs presented a concert of some of his recently composed music at the Music Department of University of Rhode Island. Also featured was music by guest composer Ssu-Yu Huang. The two-piano piece "Liaozhai Fantasy" was world-premiered, performed by pianists Hyun Lee and Jean Maxon. The solo guitar piece, No. 9. "Bring in the Wine" from "Grand Music of Tang" was world-premiered, performed by Ying Sun.

2007 On January 6, the wind orchestra piece ¡§Reigning Over the Waves¡¨ commissioned by the Navy Band was world-premiered at the Kaohsiung Culture Center and the National Concert Hall in Taipei (1/10). On March 31, the symphony piece "Portrait of Deng Yu-Hsien" was world-premiered in Chongli, Taiwan. On April 25, three pieces from ¡§Grand Music of Tang¡¨ were premiered in Taiwan by classical guitarist Mr. Meng-Feng Su. On July 20-22, two wind orchestra pieces ¡§Naluwan Marimba Concerto¡¨and ¡§Rhapsody from the Wilds¡¨ commissioned by the Hsinchu Wind Orchestra was world-premiered in Taipei, Taichung, and Hsinchu. On September 9, six songs arranged for symphony commissioned by Dr. Wei-Bing Chen were performed in the National Recital Hall in Taiwan and later (10/14) in Tokyo, Japan. In October, the wind orchestra piece ¡§Red Cliffs¡¨ commissioned by the Taiwan Wind Orchestra was world-premiered at the Taichung Chungshin Hall (10/12), the Yilan Recital Hall (10/13), and the National Concert Hall in Taipei (10/17). On December 2, two pieces from the Grand Music of Tang, ¡§Deer Enclosure¡¨ and ¡§Bamboo Lodge¡¨, were premeired in US at the Composers Concert at the Music Department of University of Rhode Island, performed by Ying Sun.

2006 In April, two wind orchestra pieces ¡§Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto¡¨ and ¡§Wind City Symphony Poem¡¨ commissioned by the Hsinchu Wind Orchestra was world-premiered in the Hsinchu Culture Center and also performed in Taidong, Hualian, and the National Concert Hall in Taipei. In May, several commissioned pieces for children¡¦s songs were performed by a children wind orchestra. In August, six Chinese and Japanese folksongs arranged for orchestra were performed in Tokyo, Japan. In December, 21 popular songs arranged for wind orchestra, commissioned by the folk singer Mr. Chen-Yang Yin were performed in eight concerts in various cities around Taiwan.

2005 Publication: ¡§Aural Exercise¡¨. In February, several commissioned cello pieces were performed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center and the Tainan Yayin Hall. In April, ensemble pieces were performed in the Tainan Chimei Museum. In August, Ssu-Yu Huang¡¦s Recital ¡§Black Holes¡¨ was performed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center. In October, several commissioned pieces for symphony were performed at the Chang Song-Liu Memorial Concert in Hsinchu. In December, several commissioned arrangements were performed in the Deng Yu-Hsien Centennial Memorial Concert in Taoyuan Longtan.

2004 Publication: ¡§The Best of Chinese Music History¡¨. In April, guitar solo work commissioned by classical guitarist Mr. Rickard Svensson was performed in several concerts and radio stations in Sweden. In August, several flute ensemble pieces commissioned by Japanese flutist Mr. Yanami Sakahashi were performed by the flute ensemble Marronier. A CD of this performance was also published in Japan. In December, several cello ensemble pieces were preformed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center and well received.

2003 Publication: ¡§The Best of Western Music History¡¨. In October, several commissioned cello ensemble pieces were preformed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center.

2002 In April, several unaccompanied cello pieces were preformed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center.

2001 Publication: ¡§Due Due Don¡¨, ¡§Taiwanese Folksong Suite¡¨, ¡§Hakka Folksong Suite¡¨, and ¡§Mallaysian Folksong Suite¡¨. In February, the vocal piece ¡§White mums in the wind¡¨ was performed at the 228 Peace Monument on Mt. Sho in Kaohsiung. In May, the ¡§Malaysian Folksong Suite¡¨.was performed in Shanghai, China. In July, several pieces were performed in Singapore and Malaysia. In September, arranged Taiwanese folksongs were performed in Bad Homburg and Baden Baden, Germany. Several interviews were conducted at the Hansheng Radio Station.

2000 Publication: ¡§Shining Star¡¨, piano solo album for children. In February, ¡§Grand Music of Tang¡¨ comprising 24 solo guitar pieces based on poems of the Tang Dynasty was commissioned by Japanese classical guitarist Mr. Kazuhito Yamashita, and world-premiered by Mr. Yamashita in Tokyo, In August, the ensemble piece ¡§A Dream of Red Mansions¡¨ was selected by the 21st Asian Composers League Annual Conference and Festival, and performed in Yokohama, Japan. In October, arranged Taiwanese folksongs were performed in Kaohsiung Culture Center. In November, ¡§A Dream of Red Mansions¡¨ was selected by the Composers Association of Taiwan and performed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center. Appointed as a judge for the composition category in the 2000 Taiwan music competition.

1999 In April, arranged Taiwanese folksongs were performed in the Kaohsiung Culture Center. The ensemble piece ¡§A Dream of Red Mansions¡¨ was commissioned and world-premiered in Tokyo, Japan. In July, the classical guitar solo piece ¡§Overture¡¨ was performed in the Classical Guitar Festival in Venezuela. Attended the Internal Society for Contemporary Music 1999 Festival in Romania.

1998 Arranged Hakka folksongs were performed in the Hakka Arts Concert Series. In December, classical guitar solo pieces ¡§Overture¡¨ and ¡§Meditation¡¨ were commissioned by Japanese classical guitarist Mr. Kazuhito Yamashita, and world-premiered by Mr. Yamashita in Tokyo, Japan.

1997 In January, the quintet piece ¡§A Stroke¡¨ was selected by the Asian Composers League 18th Annual Conference and Festival and was performed at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. Arranged Hakka folksongs for symphones were commissioned by the Taiwan Council for Culture Affairs and aired by the Hakka channel of the China Broadcast Company. Arranged several Taiwanese folksongs for the Taipei Brass Quintet. Studied in the graduate program of music at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

1996 Graduated from the Chinese Culture University. The quintet piece ¡§A Stroke¡¨ was selected by the Spring 1996 Contemporary Music Festival of the Taiwan Composers League and world-premiered at the National Taiwan Arts Education Center.

1995 Participated the 8th China Composition Conference and the 1995 Composition Workshop of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra.

1990 Studied music theory and composition with Mr. Hsin-Long Wen and Mr. Ming-Chung Hsu. Transferred to the Western Music Department of the Chinese Culture University, majoring in composition; studied with Profs. Wen-Tzi Lu and Yuan-Fan Wu. Minored in piano performance and studied with Prof. Gong-Shio Su.

1987 Entered Tainan Woman¡¦s College of Arts and Technology, majoring in electronic organ and piano; studied with Mr. Kaguo Yamamoto.