Yunn-Shan Ma Headshot

Yunn-Shan Ma

Associate Professor

School of Performing Arts
College of Liberal Arts
Director of RIT Philharmonic Orchestra

585-475-5685
Office Hours
Monday:2:30-3:30 pm Wednesday: 2:30-3:30 pm Friday: 12:00-1:00 pm And by appointment
Office Location

Yunn-Shan Ma

Associate Professor

School of Performing Arts
College of Liberal Arts
Director of RIT Philharmonic Orchestra

Education

BM, MS, National Taiwan Normal University (Taiwan); DMA, Eastman School of Music

Bio

Taiwan native Yunn-Shan Ma is active as a conductor, pianist, and educator in both America and Asia. Praised as being “extremely musical” and “having the gift of keeping the orchestra tight with her hands,” Ma’s range of conducting experience bridges the gap between professional, semi-professional, collegiate, and youth ensembles. 

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Select Scholarship

Peer Reviewed/Juried Poster Presentation or Conference Paper
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "Infusing Taiwanese Elements in the Western Compositional Canvas: A Rhetorical Analysis of “Bacchanale” from the Orchestral Suite Recollection by Chih-Yuan Kuo." Proceedings of the 2022 Asian Classical Music Initiative International Conference. Ed. Conference Program Committee. Lawrence, Kansas: n.p..
Ma, Yunn-Shan and Joe Geigel. "Implementing New Live Music Experiences - A Non-Music Majors’ AR Fantasia Collaboration." Proceedings of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction (ATMI) 2022 National Conference. Ed. Conference Program Committee. Long Beach, CA: n.p..
Journal Paper
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "The Orchestral Suite Recollection by Chih-Yuan Kuo – Melding Taiwanese Elements with a Western Compositional Canvas." CODA Journal Volume XV. (2022): 45-61. Web.
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "The Chorus as a Dramatic Force in Wagner’s Operas." Choral Journal 60. 11 (2020): 20-32. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "Interdisciplinary Project Based Music Theory Pedagogy for STEM majors." Proceedings of the Engineering and Liberal Education Symposium. Ed. Symposium Committee. Schenectady, NY: n.p., Web.
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "Integrating video game music in orchestral concert programs." Proceedings of the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference. Ed. Conference Program Committee. Vancouver, Canada: n.p., Web.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "English diction for choral singers." Taipei Male Choir Symposium Series. Taipei Male Choir. Taipei, Taiwan. 31 Jul. 2021. Guest Lecture.
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "Choral Music from Taiwan." International Choral Music Series. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY. 23 Mar. 2021. Guest Lecture.
Ma, Yunn-Shan. "Effective Techniques for Choral Directors on Instrumental Conducting." Laureate Choral Symposium. Taiwan Choral Association. Taipei, Taiwan. 29 May 2022. Keynote Speech.
Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Ma, Yunn-Shan and Symphoria. Halloween: Spooky Symphoria. 30 Oct. 2021. Inspiration Hall, Syracuse. Performance.
Geigel, Joe, Yunn-Shan Ma, and Juilee Decker. AR Fantasia. 19 Nov. 2021. RIT Magic Studio, Rochester. Performance.
Ma, Yunn-Shan and RIT Philharmonic Orchestra. Star Wars and Borodin. 16 Oct. 2021. Ingle Auditorium, Rochester. Performance.
National/International Competition Award Winner
Ma, Yunn-Shan and RIT Philharmonic Orchestra. The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts. Honorable Mention - Orchestral Performance - College/University Division. Danbury, CT, 2021.
Ma, Yunn-Shan. The American Prize: Celebrating American excellence in the arts. National Finalist - Conducting Competition. Dansbury, CT, 2021.
Ma, Yunn-Shan. The American Prize: Celebrating American excellence in the arts. National Semi Finalist - Orchestral Programming / Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award. Dansbury, CT, 2021.

Currently Teaching

INGS-101
3 Credits
Within the past three decades, planetary computerization, burgeoning media industries, and other global processes have significantly altered the ways in which we experience our local and global worlds. Global reconfigurations of time and space change our consciousness, sense of self and others, and the material realities in which we live and work. This course provides the conceptual tools to assess emerging global processes, interactions and flows of people, ideas and things that challenge historical patterns of international studies and relations. The course will introduce you to international and global processes in areas such as global cultural economies, global cities, new forms of democracy and civil society, global religions, sexualities, health, and environments, increased competition for resources, political conflict, war and terrorism. Beyond understanding the causes and consequences of global change, this course will introduce you to ethical dilemmas in global justice movements, and in transferring ideas and technologies in new global contexts.
PRFL-265
3 Credits
This course is designed for the student who has basic musical literacy (ability to read music notation). In addition to the writing of melody, two-part counterpoint and four-part harmony, some attention will be given to the analysis of form and style. Because it is important that theoretical understanding be coordinated with musical application, time will be devoted to the development of musicianship. Consideration will be given to individual skills and abilities, hopefully allowing for the maximum development of each student. (Elementary music reading ability)
PRFL-281
1 Credits
The RIT Orchestra performs three major concerts a year of standard orchestral repertoire from the 16th century to the present. In addition, students from the RIT Orchestra have the opportunity to play in a variety of chamber music ensembles. Auditions will be held to assess proper placement. Contact instructor for more information.
PRFL-285
1 Credits
Preparing for and performing concerts of orchestral repertoire offers students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of and appreciation for music, and its role in society, through the careful analysis of musical forms and ideas, and the comparison of exemplary works from a variety of times, places and social/cultural necessities. The RIT Chamber Orchestra is a select group of advanced players It performs concerts and engages in other activities, in particular the exploration of performing practices and stylistic considerations apropos to 17th, 18th, and 20th century music. In particular, the RIT Chamber Orchestra revives works from the 18th and early 19th centuries that have not been performed in modern times. Participation is by invitation of the music director, or by audition. Contact instructor for more information.
PRFL-465
3 Credits
This course is designed for the student who has a knowledge of basic music theory and an understanding of four-part diatonic composition. In addition to the continuing study of melodic construction and development, thematic development in two-part counterpoint, four-part harmony, chromatic materials and modulation, and analysis of form and style, emphases will be placed on the development of individual music skills.

In the News

  • September 18, 2023

    college students wearing Hawaiian shirts standing on a stage in a theater in front of a full crowd.

    RIT’s second week at the 2023 Rochester Fringe Festival

    Hundreds of people attended a performance by an RIT-related act during the first week of the 12-day Rochester Fringe Festival, with students, faculty, and staff contributing music, dance, comedy, poetry, photojournalism, in downtown Rochester. And nearly 20 other RIT-related performances are scheduled later this week.

  • September 11, 2023

    13 male college students wearing black suits lined up on a stage, singing.

    RIT well represented at 2023 Rochester Fringe Festival

    RIT students, faculty, and staff will contribute music, dance, comedy, poetry, photojournalism, and more during the 12th annual Rochester Fringe Festival, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 12, and runs through Sept. 23 in downtown Rochester.

  • September 9, 2022

    group of 16 students dressed in various forms of drag.

    RIT offerings at this year’s Rochester Fringe Festival

    RIT students, faculty, and staff will contribute music, dance, comedy, poetry, photojournalism, and more during the 11th annual Rochester Fringe Festival, which begins Sept. 13 and continues through Sept. 24 in downtown Rochester.