Kyan Cheung | Audio Engineer, Composer, Musician

Biography

Kyan Cheung (b. 2004) is an audio engineer, composer, pianist, and percussionist from Fairport, New York. Kyan has had his pieces performed by the Nazareth University Percussion Ensemble, Berten D’Hollander, Nina Siniakova, the Nazareth University Saxophone Society, and the Larson-Choi Duo. His pieces have also premiered at the 2024 NYSSMA Conference and the East Rochester Percussion Festival in Rochester, NY. Kyan’s style creates tension and release through percussive grooves and powerful melodies, all while adding emotional depth and rich backstories to his music. His research and yearning for East Asian music theory has brought him to countries such as South Korea and Japan.

Kyan’s work encompases both the classical world and the contemporary world. He has helped to compose, record, and produce singles and EPs with other artists. He currently heads the Nazareth University record label NazRecordz, dedicated towards promoting and recording up and coming independent artists. His current projects include Homophony, a One act musical written and composed by Kyan that focuses on the themes of legacy and relationship-building through unorthodox ways, as well as Firebomb: A War torn Rhapsody, a symphonic band composition that focuses on the sustained impact of the 1945 Firebombings of Tokyo.


Through the Rochester Lilac Festival, Kyan has had the opportunity to work with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Aces, Ghost Note, Beach Weather, Chi TheRealist, Danielle Ponder, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Pachyman, and many more. Kyan has also worked with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to aid in the production side of their 2024 Summer Concert series, as well as their 24-25 Philharmonic season.


He is currently studying Music Business (B.S) at the Nazareth University School Of Music in Pittsford, New York, with minors in Music Composition, Music Theory, Entertainment and Recording, and Commercial Contemporary Music. His passion to create, engineer, and perform multitudes of impactful stories through music propel his desire to connect people and allow them to feel at home with themselves. Kyan currently studies composition with Dr. Octavio Vazquez. He currently studies piano under Dr. Jacob Ertl, and has previously studied piano under Gary Kong. He currently studies jazz vibraphone under Brad Batz and Kristen Shiner-McGuire, and has previously studied jazz under Bill Tiberio.


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Photo by Alan Tirre Samba Fotography

As an Audio Engineer

My mission is to engineer musical excerpts that tell meaningful stories. I strive to craft experiences that not only resonate on a deep emotional level but also foster connection—both within ourselves and with others. Through the power of music and sound, I aim to inspire, uplift, and spark connections, building bridges and relationships between all.

Artist Statements

As a Composer

I aim to create works that speak out to all groups of people, regardless of background, identity, or orientation. I work towards showcasing the beauty that sound has in our world, highlighting the relationship between artificial and natural materials and tonality. Through rhythmic grooves and soaring melodies, I hope to connect the bridge between Western Classical music, East Asian music theory, and Contemporary songwriting to cultivate memorable experiences for all.

As a Musician

My artistic journey is shaped by the profound impact of collaboration, whether in the intricate world of classical music or the dynamic landscape of contemporary band culture. I believe that music, in its truest form, is not just an individual expression, but a collective endeavor that thrives on shared vision and skill.