EMILY CHENG, nashville, tennessee, united states

Emily Cheng is a Taiwanese-American composer, instrumentalist, and music producer whose music often blends diverse styles and world instruments. As a classical pianist, she has performed for over two decades and taught for a decade, and has also worked extensively with a cappella groups and orchestras. She now scores music for film, videogames, animation, and other media. Recent credits include Mission Popo, The Spirit and the Mouse, and Midautumn.

Yiğit Deriga, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

I was born in Izmir, Turkey in 1988. I graduated from Dokuz Eylul University Education Faculty, Music Education Department in 2009. I worked as a music teacher in a Turkish-German Foundation School in 2009 to 2022. For two years, I have been working as a teacher at Halic University Conservatory in Istanbul, Turkey. In my compositions, I utilize contemporary and traditional materials simultaneously. I was the winner of the ‘’Peace on the 100th anniversary of WW1" Competition in 2015. The award was given by the Republic of Turkey. My compositions has been performed by several symphonic orchestras in Turkey. I also was a finalist in ‘’The Marvin Hamlisch Film Scoring Contest’’ in 2017 and was invited to New York City to receive my award and to work on a new project to develop my compositional skills. I have been included in ISCM (International Society for Contemporary Music) with a contemporary piece in 2018. I was accepted to the Manhattan School of Music for an additional Master’s Degree in composition in 2019, however, after I started, my scholarship canceled withdrawn at the last minute because of the pandemic. I was one of the top 10 finalists in the ‘‘Berlin Film Scoring Contest’’ in 2021. Also, that same year, I graduated from the composition department with an M.A.degree under the supervision of Onur Nurcan at Dokuz Eylul University State Conservatory, Izmir-Turkey. I was a 3rd place around the world in ''Drumforge Company TreeHouse Contest'' in 2024. Presently, I am composing and arranging music for Symphony orchestras in Turkey. I have also continued to conduct orchestras that are performing my musical arrangements.

Federico Piccolo, Boves, Cuneo, Italy

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Federico Piccolo studied Piano performance and Composition at the Conservatory of Cuneo. He won multiple awards as composer and arranger and actively collaborates with several Italian directors. His music can be listened in Historical documentaries, short movies and TV advertisements.

Though keen on new technologies, he still likes to use pencil and paper to write his music as he finds a deep connection between the work of a composer and that of a craftsman.

PAUL WHITE, MOUNT AIRY, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

After obtaining his Bachelor of Music degree at Appalachian State University, he pursued further education at The University of Texas at Austin, where his focus shifted towards the study of jazz saxophone and composition. In 1999, he successfully completed his Masters of Music in composition and proceeded to enroll in the doctoral program at UT Austin, successfully graduating in 2003.

Dr. White's musical journey has taken him around the world, performing with diverse groups representing a wide spectrum of musical styles. He is notably the founding member of The Paul White Quintet, a contemporary jazz ensemble that has graced stages across the nation, including various annual jazz festivals.

Today, Dr. White continues to be an active force in the world of music. He dedicates his talents to composing and performing with local ensembles in the vibrant Washington D.C./Baltimore region while also touring across the nation to deliver captivating concerts and insightful clinics.

HAN YU, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Through Han Yu's music, stories and values of diverse characters are illuminated, inviting listeners to explore the rich tapestry of human existence. Inspired by her love for cinema, especially biographies, Han finds deep insights in varied on-screen experiences. Transitioning into film scoring, she realized the profound impact of music on character development. Her compositions capture the essence of characters, infusing their journeys with depth and nuance, guiding audiences on a transformative exploration of the human condition.