In Celebration of AANHPI Composers

Liliʻuokalani was the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, remembered not only for her political leadership but also for her enduring contributions to Hawaiian music. A trained musician, she composed over 150 mele — songs and chants that reflect the rich oral traditions of her people. Her work embraced a diverse array of musical forms, ranging from sacred hymns to folk ballads, showcasing her deep cultural pride and musical skill. Even after the US-backed coup that overthrew her reign, Liliʻuokalani continued to serve her people through advocacy and art.

Her most famous composition, “Aloha ʻOe,” written during a time of political upheaval, has become a symbol of farewell, longing, and love for the Hawaiian homeland. The song’s lyrical beauty and heartfelt melody continue to be cherished around the world.

🎧 Listen to “Aloha ʻOe”

An internationally acclaimed Chinese American composer and conductor, Tan Dun is best known for his genre-defying works that blend Eastern musical traditions with Western classical forms. His work spans concert halls, opera stages, and Hollywood soundtracks, most notably the Oscar-winning score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Tan has also held prestigious conducting posts and currently serves as the dean of Bard College Conservatory of Music.

With his sweeping orchestral palette and poetic use of traditional Chinese instruments, Tan’s music transports listeners to transcendent sound worlds.

🎧 Listen to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon performed by China National Traditional Orchestra

Japanese composer Karen Tanaka is known for her evocative soundscapes and sensitive integration of acoustic and electronic elements. Trained in both Japan and France, where she studied with spectralist composer Tristan Murail and worked at the renowned IRCAM institute, Tanaka has forged a distinctive voice that resonates across contemporary classical, film, and multimedia platforms. Her compositions are often inspired by nature and human emotion, offering listeners both technical finesse and poignant expressivity.

Tanaka’s “Wind Whisperer,” performed by the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, exemplifies her delicate orchestration and imaginative timbral language.

🎧 Listen to “Wind Whisperer”

An Emmy Award-winning composer and singer-songwriter, Siddhartha Khosla has brought emotional depth and melodic sophistication to some of television’s most beloved series, including This Is Us and Only Murders in the Building. A founding member of the band Goldspot, Khosla’s work spans both popular and orchestral music, infusing South Asian influences into mainstream American media. In 2024, he became the first Asian person to win a Primetime Emmy for original score.

Khosla’s “Rush to Sazz,” featured in Only Murders in the Building, highlights his nuanced fusion of traditional instruments and cinematic storytelling.

🎧 Listen to “Rush to Sazz”

A Filipino-American composer of extraordinary range and sensitivity, Nilo Alcala bridges traditional Filipino instruments and Western musical idioms in compelling and often spiritually resonant works. He is the first Philippine-born composer awarded the Copland House Residency and has collaborated with renowned groups like the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Alcala’s accolades span continents, and his compositions reflect a deep engagement with both cultural identity and global musical languages.

“I Am Here With You Always,” performed by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, offers a heartfelt testament to Alcala’s lyrical and communicative power.

🎧 Listen to “I Am Here With You Always”