![Yue Zhuo PhD, FHEA, MA, MSc, BSc (Hon)](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/6412?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Yue Zhuo
(he/him)
PhD, FHEA, MA, MSc, BSc (Hon)
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Yue Zhuo
Lecturer in Composition
Overview
My name is 卓越 (Zhuó Yuè), aka. Jerry Zhuo. I am an active composer, improviser and conductor with a rising reputation in Wales and my hometown Xiamen, China. News reports and reviews have described my compositional outcomes as ‘evocative’ and ‘deeply personal’. Recent performances of my works were given by prestigious ensembles such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Riot Ensemble, UPROAR Ensemble, Juice vocal ensemble, Pavilion Ensemble, CMG Cardiff, and renowned musicians such as Dr Jeremy Huw Williams. I am now in the process of publishing some of these works with renowned publishers such as the Universal Edition.
Here at Cardiff University, I lecture and tutor composition, studio techniques, music theory, and ensemble performance practice. I also work as the Co-Director of International Engagement (Lead for Degree Agreements) for the School of Music, facilitating communication with our own international cohort and partner academic institutions worldwide.
Having grown up in an increasingly postmodern society in China, I produce compositions that question the authenticity of personal identity. I often employ a philosophical approach in organising musical structure, taking inspiration from my experience in electroacoustic performance, improvisation, and audience engagement. Based on this, I have recently started a new compositional and musicological research project in Nan-yin, a type of music from my native Min-nan Chinese (or Hokkien) culture. My other research interests include the use of ancient Chinese poetry in composing, with a current focus on Qingzhao Li (1084–1155) from Song dynasty. These multiple interests have led to the creation of works such as Sheng-sheng-man for mezzo-soprano and large ensemble, which received its world premiere in 2024.
As a performer and promoter of contemporary music and arts, I have become increasingly recognised in Xiamen, China, for which I have received several press interviews, including one by the China Daily. I am the co-conductor of the award-winning Xiamen Foreign Language School Orchestra, and the co-founder of Pavilion Ensemble.
Publication
2022
- Zhuo, Y. 2022. Experiencing identity, forming poetic space: Expression and interaction in a portfolio of original compositions. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Thesis
- Zhuo, Y. 2022. Experiencing identity, forming poetic space: Expression and interaction in a portfolio of original compositions. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
Current Projects
- 'The Impact of the Contemporary Media on the Performative Practices of Quanzhou Nanyin -- Exploring the Ecomusicology of Nanyin in the Digital Age', group research project (leader), to be presented at the 28th CHIME conference (July 2025, University College Cork, Ireland).
- ‘The Path to High-Quality "Non-Specialised" Student Orchestra', a music pedagogy research project funded by the Bureau of Education, Xiamen, China (2023-2024).
- Shuang-qing-yue-you 双清乐游 Nanyin Project; a series of research and performance activities in Cardiff and London, with the premiere of a composition based on a Nanyin melody (Time TBC).
Recent Research Outcome
- Diap-luan-hoe (2023) and Henffych Well (2024) for baritone and piano, commissioned by the Welsh Music Guild, premiered at Cardiff University by Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone) and Wendy Hiscock (piano), 28 January 2025.
- 'Healing Field' Sound Theatre, commissioned by Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Arts Centre, China, performed on 4 January 2025.
- ''When Jiaobei Meets Nanyin: Building a Sustainable Creative Identity through Culture Preservation and Social Engagement', conference paper, the 27th CHIME Conference (October 2024, Hanover/Hildesheim, Germany).
- 'Rediscovering Nan-yin in the Context of Contemporary Composition and Performance Practices', conference paper, presented at the 5th Silpakorn International Conference, Thailand in June 2024.
- Sheng-sheng-man 声声慢, a piece for solo female voice and large ensemble (20'), premiered and recorded at Cardiff University by Daniella Sicari (soprano), Yajie Ye (conductor) and Pavilion Ensemble (7-9 March 2024).
- The time of Childhood 细汉的时阵, concert of original works, commissioned by Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Arts Centre, China in 2024.
- Ju-ian 如烟 (2023) for solo Clarinet (9'), premiered by Nelly Rodríguez during the European Clarinet Congress Tilburg, Netherlands, in December 2023.
- Sea, Amoy! (2022) for orchestra (6'30"), premiered by BBC National Orchestra of Wales during their 'Composition: Wales' concert on 7 March 2023.
- 'Game of Sounds and Signs: Exploring the Three-Cornered Network of Interactions Between the Composer, Conductor and Singers', conference paper, presented at Spheres of Singing Interdisciplinary Conference (November 2022, University of Glasgow).
- under the Sun... (2022) for piccolo, sheng, pipa, viola and percussion (8'), premiered at Tunghai University Music Centre, Taiwan on 18 September 2022. The piece was written for TimeArt Academy 2022, with the topic subject 'Forgotten Voices', exploring the connection between contemporary music and different traditions.
- Dream: Pavilion by the Water (2020-2) for mezzo-soprano and piano (9'), premiered by Yajie Ye and Jerry Yue Zhuo, presented under the same title at the 12th Biennial Internation Conference on Music Since 1900 (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, July 2022).
- 'Who Do You Think You Are?', concert of original works, commissioned by Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Arts Centre, China, 2021. This concert features improvisation, Fluxus, audience participation, electroacoustic, and audio-visual elements, including the opening piece Sound of Luck (2021) and The Way to Fly (2021).
Research Interest
Compositional process and ideology:
- 'Poetic space' — non-linear musical structure
- 'Dramatic form' and theatricality in music and performance arts
Identity expression in music and arts:
- the 'identity sampling process' — the perception and construction of 'self' in music
- Chineseness — the act of self-stereotype in music and arts
- Languages, the translation of and the politics of, including research in Min-nan dialect
Performance, improvisation, and collaborations:
- The New Discipline: the identity of a composer-performer in musical works
- The design of improvisation using notated, graphic, and text scores
- Relationships involved in improvisation among the composer, conductor, performers, and audience
Electroacoustic and computer music:
- Use of electronics and digital devices such as tapes, synthesisers, pre-recorded video, smartphones and computer programmes (e.g. Max/MSP, Ableton Live)
Ethnomusicology-inspired composition:
- Nan-yin (南音) — its history and present and how it can be integrated into contemporary composing.
Teaching
Undergraduate Teaching:
- Formal Functions in the Classical Tradition (module leader), 2024 – present
- Composition 1A (module leader), 2021 – present
- Composition 3 (final year major composition project supervision), 2021 – present
- Elements of Tonal Music (seminars), 2018 – 2024
- Studio Techniques 1, 2024 – present; 2018 – 2020 (tutoring)
- Studio Techniques 2, 2024 – present (module leader); 2018 – 2020 (tutoring)
Postgraduate Teaching:
- Studio Techniques (module leader), 2021 – present
- Ensemble (module leader), 2021 – 2024
- MA Composition projects (tutoring), 2021 – present
- Contributes to specialist classes in Research Skills, 20th&21st Century Music, and Cultures of Performance modules
International Teaching:
- 'Becoming an International Musician: Research and Communication on the Global Stage' (course leader), 2017 – present
Other teaching-related roles:
- Postgraduate research student annual reviewer
- HEA mentor and assessor at Cardiff University
Biography
Education and qualifications
- 2023: FHEA (Higher Education Academy)
- 2022: PhD Music (Composition), Cardiff University, UK
- 2020: AFHEA (Higher Education Academy) with Distinction
- 2017: MA Music (Composition) with Distinction, Cardiff University, UK
- 2016: MSc International Management (IMEX), London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
- 2015: BSc Hons Economics, University of Bath, UK
Honours and awards
- 2025: 1st prize and best conductor for Symphonic Orchestra Performance, Fujian Provincial Middle and Primary School Arts Exhibition, China (conducting, Brahms: Carnival Overture)
- 2024: 1st prize for Symphonic Orchestra Performance, Xiamen Middle and Primary School Arts Exhibition, China (conducting, Brahms: Carnival Overture)
- 2024: 1st place (2nd prize) for Symphonic Winds Performance, Xiamen Middle and Primary School Arts Exhibition, China (conducting, Shimizu: Jasper)
- 2023: Acapela Studio Award for Composers, Welsh Music Guild (with commission)
- 2021: 1st prize for String Orchestra Performance, Xiamen Middle and Primary School Arts Exhibition, China (conducting, Tchaikovsky: Serenade for String Orchestra)
- 2021: 1st prize for Symphonic Winds Performance, Xiamen Middle and Primary School Arts Exhibition, China (conducting, de Haan: Ross Roy)
- 2021: 1st prize, Instrumental Music Category, Fujian Provincial Music and Dance Festival, China (conducting)
- 2021: 2nd prize for Original Choral Compositions and Excellent Ensemble Leader, Chongqing Universities Arts Exhibition (provincial level), China
- 2020: Graduate Tutor of the Year Award, Cardiff University, UK
- 2020: Selected participant of Ty Cerdd 'CoDI Sound' and 'CoDI Mentor' projects with grants
- 2017–2020: Full Studentship, Cardiff University School of Music, UK
- 2016: International Studentship, Cardiff University College of AHSS, UK
- 2015: Outstanding Alumni, Xiamen Foreign Language School, China
Academic positions
- 2021–present: Lecturer in Composition, Cardiff University School of Music, UK
- 2017–2019: A-Level Economics Teacher (part-time), St John's College Cardiff, UK
Committees and reviewing
- 2024 onwards: Moderator, BA Modern Chinese programme (Cardiff-China Joint College for Chinese Studies, Cardiff University/Beijing Normal University)
- 2024: Session Chair, Electroacoustic composition workshop, BFE-RMA Research Students' Conference, Cardiff, UK
- 2021: Session Chair and Session Panel Leader, BFE-RMA Research Students' Conference, Cambridge, UK
- 2019: Conference Lead Organiser, PGR Study Day, Cardiff University, UK
- 2019: Music Education Advisor, Phuket Taihua School, Thailand
- 2018: Concert Co-organiser, Contemporary Music for All (CoMA) Festival, Cardiff, UK
Supervisions
Please note that I am currently only available as a second supervisor (not first or main supervisor). Having said that, I am happy to be in touch and recommend a suitable first supervisor for the applicant.
Composition; Electroacoustic Composition; Improvisation; Chinese and East Asian cultures; Cultural and National Identities.
