Ursula Kwong-Brown (b. 1987) is a composer, political activist and teacher from New York City. Described as “atmospheric and accomplished” by The New York Times, her work has been performed in diverse venues including Carnegie Hall, le Poisson Rouge, Miller Theatre and the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center in NYC, and the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Ursula received her B.A. from Columbia University in 2010, graduating with honors in music and biology. After doing neuroscience research for two years, she changed direction and began a PhD in music composition at U. C. Berkeley with generous support from a Mellon-Berkeley fellowship. Ursula graduated in May 2018 with a Ph.D. in Music Composition & New Media. Currently, she is teaching Scratch Video and Lego Robotics for Robofun in NYC.
In addition to composing, Ursula has become very politically active this past year! Since college students can choose to register to vote at home or at school, they are in a unique position to impact swing districts. With the generous help of Jason T. Roff and his colleagues at First Factory, she has created a non-partisan website that helps college students decide where their vote matters the most: MakeMyVoteMatter.com
In addition to composing, Ursula has become very politically active this past year! Since college students can choose to register to vote at home or at school, they are in a unique position to impact swing districts. With the generous help of Jason T. Roff and his colleagues at First Factory, she has created a non-partisan website that helps college students decide where their vote matters the most: MakeMyVoteMatter.com
Upcoming performances
April 9, 2019 – **Premiere** of Where the I Comes From for soprano and soprano with text by Josh Bell
Performance by Anne Moss at Composers, Inc. concert
April 13, 2019 – **Premiere** of Where the I Comes From for soprano and orchestra with text by Josh Bell
Performance by the UC Berkeley Symphony with Anne Moss
Spring 2019, TBD – **Premiere** of NEW WORK for orchestra
Performance by the Berkeley Symphony
Fall 2019 - Very excited to be one of three composers selected for the Pacific Chorale Choral Sketches Workshop!
Public workshop by the Pacific Chorale in Orange County, CA
Performance by Anne Moss at Composers, Inc. concert
April 13, 2019 – **Premiere** of Where the I Comes From for soprano and orchestra with text by Josh Bell
Performance by the UC Berkeley Symphony with Anne Moss
Spring 2019, TBD – **Premiere** of NEW WORK for orchestra
Performance by the Berkeley Symphony
Fall 2019 - Very excited to be one of three composers selected for the Pacific Chorale Choral Sketches Workshop!
Public workshop by the Pacific Chorale in Orange County, CA
Recent performances & activities
May 9, 2018 – **Premiere** of I should have taken the train for piano & electronics with text by Hannah Howard
Performance in Hertz Hall at UC Berkeley
June 3, 2018 – In Transit for flute, cello and guitar with tape
Commissioned by the Black Cedar Trio. Performance at the San Francisco Public Library
http://blackcedar.biz/upcoming-events/
April 29, 2018 – **Premiere** of Black & Blue for large ensemble & electric guitar members of the Berkeley Symphony
Performance at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive
Inspired by the art of Theresa Hak-Kyung Cha: Black and Blue
https://bampfa.org/event/full-symphony-and-ballet
April 20, 2018 – **Premiere** of Night & Day for orchestra by the Jacksonville Symphony
Presented by the American Composers Orchestra EarShot program
https://www.jaxsymphony.org/event/ear-shot/
Video above: March 31, 2018
Ellen Ruth Rose performing with me at the Berkeley Art Museum for the "Full Moon" concert series curated by Anna Clyne
(For a better audio recording, go to my "LISTEN" page)
Ellen Ruth Rose performing with me at the Berkeley Art Museum for the "Full Moon" concert series curated by Anna Clyne
(For a better audio recording, go to my "LISTEN" page)
