Yi-Ning Lo Headshot

Yi-Ning Lo

Assistant Professor

School of Performing Arts
College of Liberal Arts
ynlspa@rit.edu

Yi-Ning Lo

Assistant Professor

School of Performing Arts
College of Liberal Arts

Bio

Yi-Ning Lo, currently based in Rochester New York, is a composer, pianist, and educator from Taiwan. Over the course of her artistic journey, she has drawn abundant inspiration for both vocal and instrumental compositions from a rich tapestry of literature, encompassing Western poems, Taiwanese folk tunes, ancient Chinese poetry, and Japanese haiku. For instance, her chorus work “Seek, Home” intricately weaves together contrasting texts in two languages: William Blake’s “Nurse’s Song” and the Taiwanese folk tune “A Bird Cries in Despair,” creating ambiguity and tension surrounding the concept of “home.” Her chamber-orchestra piece “Woven Veins” received the Christine Clark/Theodore Front Prize in 2019, gaining further recognition through broadcast on the radio show “Music of our Mothers” and an honorable mention in the fall journal issued by the International Alliance for Women in Music. More recently, her composition “Alien, Cabbage, and Me” (for live electronics and live video) explores her own language-learning experience as a non-native English speaker. This composition was selected by the Society of Composers for inclusion in their Super Regional Summer Mixtape in 2023.

In her compositional journey, Lo takes particular joy in exploring themes related to womanhood, dreams, and memory, infusing her compositions with a profound sense of emotion and storytelling. Currently, her focus is on an opera project that blends acoustic instruments, electronic sounds, literature, installations, and theater. This opera delves into the contemporary struggles of young women, offering a compelling narrative that reflects the complexities of modern life.

Lo has garnered prestigious awards from numerous competitions, including the Classic Pure Vienna Composition Competition, the Robert Avalon International Competition, and the International Eduardas Balsys Young Composers Competition. Her compositions are published by Universal Edition and Theodore Front Music Literature. She has collaborated with ensembles such as the Cornell University Glee Club and Chorus, Rochester Institute of Technology Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hats+Heels Duo. Currently, Lo is an Assistant Professor in the College of Liberal Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Composition from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from National Taiwan Normal University.

ynlspa@rit.edu
Personal Links
Personal Website

Currently Teaching

PRFL-265
Music Theory 1
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-268
Composing for Media
3 Credits
Composing for Media will guide the student through the process of creating original music to accompany a visual medium. The course begins by focusing on the aesthetics, terminology, procedures, and technical aspects of film scoring. As the course progresses, the skills acquired will progress towards a class project of scoring a short film or animation. By using a broad range of techniques including click tracks, spotting, scoring under dialogue, free timing, and the creative use of overlap cues, students will learn how to develop a dramatic concept for a score and how to synchronize it seamlessly to visual events. This course is applicable to musicians interested in scoring music to visual media as well as students with skills in the areas of audio engineering, film and animation and video gaming. No previous film scoring experience is required. Fundamental knowledge and a background in music will be introduced in the class topics. In addition to a good ear for music, a functional ability with MIDI sequencing, via DAW—a proficiency in the use of sample libraries and audio plug-ins and basic audio mixing—is expected. Entrance to the class requires instructor permission.
PRFL-291
Class Music Instruction
0 - 1 Credits
Class music instruction provides students with training in basic instrumental or vocal technique and musical notation in a class setting. This course is designed to develop skills both individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore repertoire from different cultures and historical periods as they learn the basics of note reading, instrumental and performance technique. Students need no prior experience playing the instrument in order to enroll in this course.