Aya Nishina (にしな あや) is a New York-based composer of acoustic and electroacoustic music. Her love for life and mother nature is the greatest inspiration in her creative process.
A Native of Sendai City, Japan, Aya was born into a musical family. Her mother is a concert pianist and her grandfather a choir conductor. Beginning her formal piano lessons and ear training at the age of two, Aya started writing music for her friends and family by the age of five. As her musical curiosity continued to grow, her mother gave her opportunities to learn from some of Japan's most distinguished pianists, music theorists, auditory trainers and composers. After middle school, she decided to move to the United States to pursue her musical education at Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan, and at the Manhattan School Of Music (graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor's Diploma in Music).*
After internationally acclaimed pianist Steven Osborne gave one of her early works a world premiere when she was fifteen, Aya's compositions have been commissioned and performed worldwide.
Aya has worked with prestigious venues and ensembles including UNICEF, California Academy of Sciences, Canadian Opera Company, EMF (Electronic Music Foundation), Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Spoleto Festival USA, VocalEssence, The Renaissance Society, Rosenstadt Choir, Roulette Intermedium, The Stone, UVPhactory Production, Thinc Design, Wine Studios Inc, Sacramento International Film Festival, International Cinematographers Guild, Hoboken International Film Festival.
As a composer and an improviser, she has made music with some of the world's most inspired artists such as John Zorn, Cyro Baptista, Greg Osby, Ned Rothenberg, Ikue Mori, Sylvie Courvoisier, Lukas Ligeti, Thierry Gomar, Paolo Angeli, Marco Cappelli, conductors Richard Bradshaw (COC) and Richard Barrett, as well as mezzo-soprano Marie Ann Kowan, among many others.
Recently, together with the great Cyro Baptista, Aya enjoyed making the soundtrack for "Water Is Life," a nature documentary about water directed by Alexandre Moors (Production: UVPhactory/Thinc Design). The film is presented over multiple screens to create a fully immersive 360 degree movie experience. It is installed as part of the permanent exhibition at the California Academy Of Sciences in Golden State Park, San Francisco. Commissioned by Tzadik Records' Composers Series, she is currently working on her debut album. As a pianist, she participates in a duet project with vibraphonist Thierry Gomar.
A dedicated teacher, Aya has taught in both Japan and the United States, specializing in auditory development programs for musicians, as well as in orchestration, music theory, counterpoint and composition. Since 2004, she has also been an associate composer with Muse-no-Yume (Sendai City, Japan), an organization which provides musical education and support to children with special needs.
*Aya has studied composition with Akira Nishimura, Julia Wolfe, Giampaolo Bracali, Nils Vigeland, John Boyle, Elaine Broad and Shu Yashima; conducting with maestros David Gilbert and John Stanley Ross; Piano with Ryoko Fukazawa, Sachio Yokoyama, Sachiko Koch-Nakamura, Yoshi Nagai, and her mother Atsuko Nishina. She has also received an exclusive auditory training from Machiko Muramatsu.
Hey Aya! How are you? I just want to take some news... Hope things go in the good way for you! (and i hope my words are correct! :D) What about your record on the tzadik label? Oh no, i don't want to press you! Also, the video "water is life" is beautiful! Greetings from the other side of the Atlantic!
Welcome to my page, and the add as a friend. Thanks for dropping by, I hope you found the site interesting: The Songs, The Videos, the Pictures, and my blog.
To describe myself, I am a true balladeer and a REAL folksinger. I truly an indie. I don’t have a manager, or an Agent, no recording contract and no money! (Sounds like a folk singer to me). I do it all by myself, (with a little help from my friends).
After returning from the Grand Canyon, I plan to continue with my community by providing music for Senor Centers, hospitals and schools.
I encourage you to drop by and leave a comment. You can help support by purchasing a CD (refer to my blog) or buy a track or two from the snocap player.
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hello Aya! thank you very much for welcome us in your friends circle i am just listening to all your fine tracks lyricall and minimalist music poetic and organic mood friendly Christian
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