Composer, Pianist

More about Me

                Daixuan Ai’s music combines tradition with modernism and connects eastern and western cultures.  She is dedicated to learning and understanding the musical legacy from the past and opening her ears and heart to absorbing and creating music of today’s world.  She also seeks ways to honor her cultural heritage by writing music that’s well-crafted, formally precise, and deeply thoughtful.

Listen

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    Prelude After A Folk Song (Jihye Chang, piano) (2020) 3:02
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  2. 2
    Octet for Winds (2019) 11:15
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    The Owl (Hub New Music) (2019) 9:46
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  4. 4
    Fugue and Noises (for piano quintet) (2019) 8:22
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  5. 5
    My Father's Tale (for orchestra) (2018-2019) 16:15
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  6. 6
    String Quartet No.1- III (2018) 5:52
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  7. 7
    Nocturne (for solo piano) (2018) 10:59
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News

Graduate School Update 

I am very excited to announce that in fall 2020, I will be attending the composition master's program at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music!  Alongside with admission, I was also offered an Associate Instructor position in Music Theory.  

I am grateful for all the people who have helped me and supported me through my four-year undergrad journey at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory.  I couldn't have grown to be the person I am today without all my teachers and friends at BW. 

I am looking forward to starting the next chapter of my learning journey at Indiana University, making more music, and making new memories!

Premiere of Three Xiangxi Folk Songs for Piano & Violin (include link to score) 

On February 29th, 2020, my first new work of the year Three Xiangxi Folk Songs (for piano & violin) was premiered by Baldwin Wallace Conservatory faculty Dr. Sungeun Kim and Dr. Rotberg.  This set of three pieces was inspired by both the musical style of Chinese minor ethnic group Xiangxi Tujia and Miao, as well as my ongoing study of the western musical forms, including preludes and fugues.  For example, in the second movement titled Fugue, I tried for the first time to use a pre-existing folk melody to the subject and counter-subject of a fugue!  

Here's a link to the score if you were at Dr. Kim and Dr. Rotberg's recital and wanted to see how everything was notated after hearing the piece, or if you haven't heard the piece but want to check out the music: https://issuu.com/daisyyy0809/docs/three_xiangxi_folksongs

I wanted to also thank Dr. Kim and Dr. Rotberg for premiering two of my newest work on their recital alongside pieces by Ravel, Du Yun, and Robert Aldridge.  It was an honor to have worked with these amazing BW teachers!

11/06/2019 

I will be holding a senior composition recital at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory Fynette Hall on Sunday, 11/17 at 8 pm.  The works will be presented at the recital include Nocturne (for solo piano), The Owl (for mixed ensemble), String Quartet No. 1, Fugue and Noises (for piano quartet), and Octet for Winds.  A reception will be followed.

08/01/2019 

I finished one month of study at the European American Musical Alliance Summer Institute in Paris, France.  During the program, I studied with faculties Dr. Philip Lasser, Dr. David Conte, Dr. Mark Shapiro, Dr. Benjamin Boyle, and Dr. Kyle Blaha.

06/17/2019 

I attended the Fresh Inc Festival in Kenosha Wisconsin from June 2nd to June 17th.  I had composition lessons/workshops with composers including Dan Visconti, Derek Bermel, Julia Adolphe, etc.  My composition Fugue and Noises was premiered on June 17th in the Bedford Hall of Wisconsin Parkside University.  I was also commissioned by Kenosha Community Foundation to write a new piece for the Hub New Music ensemble.