Hometown:  Selangor, Malaysia

Why did you choose to attend WVU? 

Many of my music teachers in Malaysia are WVU alumni, so hearing stories about Morgantown and the music program over the years drew me to apply. Despite the fact that I was unable to visit campus due to the pandemic, my virtual interactions with the music faculty that can only be described as inspiring and welcoming were ultimately decisive in my decision to attend WVU.

What do you like about your major and your WVU experience? 

For my major, I am awed at how supportive and knowledgeable the professors are in the composition faculty, and it's incredible how they will go out of their way to encourage and support you. I also really liked how we are exposed to different styles of music through the many guest composers that frequent the composition studio to give talks; the rotating composition instructors for each academic year; and the creative freedom they give you to explore different styles of music. My favorite thing about my major, though, is the number of performance opportunities for your work. There are a lot of opportunities for your pieces to be played and recorded by the WVU ensembles and professional musicians, which is really beneficial for student composers who are seeking to build their portfolios.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering attending WVU's College of Creative Arts? 

I'd say interact with the WVU CCA community, especially the professors. Don't be afraid to start conversations, have lessons, and ask questions—you never know where they will lead you! Go to shows, recitals, and/or exhibitions as well; not only will you be able to network, but you will also be able to get a sense of some of the things you may do yourself if you attend WVU!

Have you recently received any awards or scholarships? Have you recently participated in any competitions, productions, performances or exhibitions?

I recently presented one of my compositions at the Undergraduate Research Symposium for Spring 2022, and the same work I presented also earned me first place in the Faculty Student Mentored Research Award 2022. I had no idea that compositions could be counted as research, so I had no intention of participating at first, but thanks to the encouragement of my professors and the Student Artistic Achievement office, I applied. I'm glad I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone for both events; otherwise, I wouldn't have had the eye-opening experience that I had while preparing and presenting. I've also been accepted to participate in the NYU Film Scoring Workshop and the NYU/BMI TV Scoring Workshop this summer. In retrospect, the studio recordings, as well as the countless pieces of advice and support I obtained through the composition studio, have undeniably boosted my portfolio. I hope to have more to contribute in terms of compositions and stories when I return!