Moon Ha
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Moon Ha | |
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| Native name | 하문영 (Ha, Moon Young) |
| Born | 1980 Daegu, South Korea |
| Origin | New York City, United States |
| Genres | Classical, experimental |
| Occupation(s) | Composer |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Stradivarius |
| Website | sustainable-music |
Moon Ha (sometimes credited as Moon Young Ha) is a South Korean‑American composer, conductor, researcher and educator based in New York City. He is the founding Artistic Director and CEO of the contemporary music collective ensemble mise‑en (est. 2011).[1]. His artistic practice spans acoustic and electronic media, found objects and handmade circuits, and he is notable for his research into sustainability in music, sound and technology[2] In Fall 2025, he joined New York University's Steinhardt School as an Assistant Professor of Music[3]
Early life and education
Moon Ha was born in Seoul, South Korea, and later based himself in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign. He continued his academic studies at New York University (NYU), where he obtained an M.A. and Ph.D. in Music.[4]
Career
Ensemble mise‑en
In 2011, Moon Ha founded Ensemble mise-en, a multinational collective of performers and composers devoted to contemporary music, innovative programming, and technical excellence. The ensemble has performed internationally and supported emerging composers through university residencies and appearances at festivals across the United States[5][6], Hong Kong[7], South Korea[8], Sweden, Latvia, and other countries.
Artistic practice and sustainability research
Moon’s work incorporates a wide range of tools, including traditional instruments, found objects, custom electronics, computers, and handmade circuitry. His research explores the concept of sustainability in music and sound, addressing themes of consumption, waste, accessibility, environmental impact, and the reuse of materials. For example, his 2023 project Coming Home (in collaboration with visual artist Jinjoo Yang) featured handmade oscillators constructed from salvaged components, intentionally avoiding commercial synthesizers. The work is now part of the permanent collection at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.[9]
Compositions, performances and recognition
His compositions have been performed by ensembles such as the Alarm Will Sound, Mivos Quartet, the International Computer Music Conference, the Gaida Festival and other international venues. He also serves as conductor for his ensemble (ensemble mise-en) in both domestic and international performances.
Teaching and academic roles
Moon has taught theory, composition and music technology at NYU and other institutions such as Dartmouth College, Colby College,[10] Molloy University and CUNY-Kingsborough. At NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, he holds a position as Music Assistant Professor.[11]
Works (selected)
- Coming Home (2023) – A 4‑channel video, amplified percussion, and surround live audio work built with handmade electronics from salvaged components, avoiding commercial synthesizers.
- on resonance (2022) – For violin and live electronics; uses Max and Logic to create real-time processing that responds to the soloist’s performance.
- artless beauty in pursuit of theory Op. 3 (2023) – For violin and viola; explores refined chamber instrumentation and live electronics.
- artless beauty in pursuit of theory Op. 2 (2022) – For string trio (violin, viola, cello); premiered by the Amorsima Trio in Brooklyn.
- impulse response (2024) – Combines analog oscillators, Raspberry Pi Pico W, and real-time video processing to explore feedback between sound and light.
- reciprocal response (2023–24) – A laptop ensemble work for NYU Laptop Orchestra (new_LOrk) exploring real-time interaction between composer and performers.
Awards and residencies
Details on Moon’s residencies include his roles at I‑Park[12] , Omi International Arts Center[13] , Mizzou New Music Festival[14] , KHN Center for the Arts[15]
References
- ↑ "Moon Ha, electronics/conductor/composer". MISE-EN / NEW MUSIC. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Sustainable Music". Sustainable-Music.org. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Welcoming Steinhardt's New Faculty". NYU Steinhardt. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Music Department Alumni: People". NYU Arts & Science: Department of Music. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ Smith, Steve (17 September 2012). "Moving Sounds at the Czech Center". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Mise-en Music Festival – Sounds from the North Sea". Scandinavia House. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "ENSEMBLE MISE-EN". Swiss Confederation – Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "ATM Series – Arts Incubator". Arts Incubator. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ "Jinjoo Yang, Winner of the 2023 Impressions Residency". Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ↑ Ha, Benjamin (March 20, 2025). "Interviewing Professor Moon Young Ha". The Colby Echo. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ↑ "NYU Steinhardt Faculty". Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ↑ "I‑Park Composers & Musicians Collaborative Residency Culminates in Series of Concerts August 23rd & 24th". Patch. 17 August 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Alumni Directory – Art Omi". Art Omi. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Spotlight on Moon Young Ha". Show Me Mizzou / University of Missouri. 2 July 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Moon Young Ha – Resident". KHN Center for the Arts. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
External links
This article "Moon Ha" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.