Life & Work with Sydney Wang of Westwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Wang

Hi Sydney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started taking private composition lessons at age 10, but I would say that my journey as a composer began long before that. When I was 3, my parents bought me a little toy piano, from which I became inseparable. Time and again, my parents would find me sitting in front of it, plinking away at its eight colorful keys.

I formally started studying piano at age 4. Some of the very first pieces of music I ever heard were works by Bach, Mozart, and Chopin. Learning the works of these great composers fostered in me an early appreciation for classical music. Along with my love for music, I also loved reading and writing. Over time, these two interests organically merged, so my passion for composing music was very natural. Once I began composing, I never looked back.

In high school, I was accepted into the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Nancy and Barry Sanders Composer Fellowship Program. Learning from and collaborating with some of the most accomplished artists in the industry not only helped me hone my ability to write for a diverse array of ensembles, but it also opened my eyes to the endless possibilities a career in music can offer. I had the privilege of composing for ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Youth Symphony, and members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. During this time, I also began receiving my first commissions as a composer, which further motivated and inspired me to pursue a career in composition.

I continued my studies in the undergraduate music composition program at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, where I am currently a senior. Here I found a community of incredible mentors and fellow composers who reaffirmed the joy and fulfillment that brings me back to composition day after day. In addition to my commitments as a composer, I also explored opportunities to expand my horizons as a pianist, and began regularly performing and recording new works. In 2023, I became a staff collaborative pianist at UCLA, accompanying musicians in concerts, auditions, competitions, and lessons. I can truly say that I have never been happier to be doing what I love most, combining performance and composition, and am profoundly grateful every day for each opportunity that has allowed me to chase my musical dreams.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am grateful that my musical life has been filled with people who have inspired and supported me. Both of my parents work in STEM, and immigrated to the United States after graduating at the top of their classes in China. Though they knew little of what a career in music entailed, they have always supported me wholeheartedly in my musical pursuits because they saw how much joy it brought me. I would say that the uncertainty or “unknown” factor involved in a career in the arts is one of the biggest obstacles I have struggled with. As the only one in my family not pursuing a career in science, my experience involved a lot of trial and error and a significant amount of self-doubt. Early on, I became aware that as an artist, my livelihood inherently depends on whether or not my work connects with my audience. Finding that balance of staying true to my own artistic vision while composing music that speaks to others is an ongoing journey that I have learned to embrace. Furthermore, as composers, much of the creative aspect of our work is done in solitude, outside of the normal “working hours.” I seldom struggle with having the motivation to work hard, but on the flip side, it is easy for me to work myself into the ground. It took me a long time to learn that while passion and a solid work ethic are important to being a good musician, so is a healthy lifestyle, patience, and the willingness to slow down and take a longer view of things. Rather than viewing the unpredictability of a musical career as something to fear, I now see it as a blessing: there are no limits to where my artistic journey can take me, which is exciting to think about!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a composer, I have experience working in various different genres: classical, electronic, and film scoring, to name just a few. But I have an enduring love for concert music, which I attribute to my extensive background as a performer. The spontaneous nature of live performance and the magic of watching and hearing my music come to life on stage is an experience that I simply cannot put into words. There is no feeling quite like it. Recent highlights include performances by the Carpe Diem String Quartet, New Thread Quartet, and Orchestra Senzaspine, as well as an upcoming premiere by Salastina as a part of their 2024 Sounds Promising Young Composers Program. I incorporate influences and styles from different genres and cultures into my music. At its core, my work is narrative; I draw inspiration from stories – both real and imagined. I have a deep interest in composing vocal music, and often write my own text. In June 2024, members of the UCLA Chamber Singers recorded a new choral work of mine, which will be released soon.

Though my studies center on composition, I maintain an active schedule as a performer of both classical and new music. I am constantly in search of ways to challenge and explore my abilities as a pianist. In March 2024, with special permission from the Bernstein estate and Indiana University, I recorded and co-produced a full-length album of Leonard Bernstein’s music on the composer’s own piano with a team of Indiana University’s musicians and engineers. Learning and recording the music of one of my biggest musical idols was among the most challenging but most rewarding experiences of my career. As a collaborative pianist, I have a particular passion for accompanying vocalists. I work primarily with the voice department at UCLA, though I love playing with musicians of all mediums. I have also accompanied rehearsals with the UCLA choral ensembles, and am currently a rehearsal pianist with the Verdi Chorus in Santa Monica. In May 2024, I had the opportunity to perform at the 2024 International Trumpet Guild Conference, and in June 2024, I performed in the West Coast premiere of William Averitt’s oratorio “Easter, 1906” alongside pianist James Lent and the UCLA Chamber Singers. I would say that my dual identity as both composer and performer is one of my greatest strengths. I have a first-hand understanding of what works best from the perspective of both the person writing the music and the person playing it.

As a producer, I am involved in the organization of composers concerts in and outside of UCLA. I have helped produce and present concerts in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Italy. My fellow composers and performers are a constant source of inspiration and motivation, and growing up in the vibrant new music scene in Los Angeles exposed me to so many diverse and innovative contemporary works. Inspired by the influences of new music on my own life, I wanted to do my part to help ensure that such impactful music can be heard and enjoyed by audiences everywhere. The community aspect of music-making is one of the biggest reasons why I am passionate about doing what I do, and I would not be the musician I am today without the wonderful people who have supported, uplifted, and believed in me every step of the way.

I am in love with every aspect of music-making: composing, performing, producing. Rather than seeing each of these facets as its own separate entity, I view all as one continuous process, with one stage flowing into the next. Each phase changes the music in a beautiful way as it transforms from page to sound, and I am, thankfully, uniquely set up to accompany my works for their entire journey.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Please consider me for your next commission or concert. I love collaborating with artists because every project is unique; we create something entirely new and personal together. I am also a professional classically-trained pianist and love to play recording sessions. Or, on a more casual note, let’s simply get together and sight read some music! I am always on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate with and meet other artists. Shoot me an email or reach out on Instagram!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.sydneywangmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydney.s.wang/
• Other: Email: sydneywangmusic@gmail.com

Image Credits
Erica Hou