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Stephanie Chou
Stephanie Chou is a composer, saxophonist, and singer based in New York City. Her music combines classical and Chinese influences with jazz and pop harmonies and rhythms. She blends Eastern elements (Chinese folk songs, erhu) with Western jazz and pop to create an entirely original, unique, and arresting bi-lingual (English and Mandarin) musical world. Stephanie’s music is all about connecting with the audience, and sharing her experience as a Chinese-American growing up in NY through her music.
Raised in Irvington, NY, Chou studied mathematics and music at Columbia University. In 2011, she released her first album, Prime Knot, a jazz quintet CD featuring trumpeter Marcus Printup (Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra). Her 2012 ballet work C for G was commissioned and choreographed by former American Ballet Theatre principal ballerina and ballet mistress Susan Jaffe, and premiered at Goucher College.
Steph’s 2017 album, Asymptote, features fresh takes on Chinese classics including "Kangding Love Song", "The Moon Represents My Heart", a tongue twister about "Eating Grapes", and a setting of one of Li Bai's most famous poems. Asymptote features jazz musicians Kenny Wollesen, David Binney, John Escreet, and Zack Lober, as well as viola and erhu virtuoso Andy Lin. The release concert was co-presented by China Institute in America at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater. She has performed her original music in Taipei, Taiwan and Beijing, China, and throughout New York City at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, B.B. King's, Joe's Pub, Miller Theater, and The Cutting Room, as well as in festivals in Italy, New Orleans, Chicago, Vermont (Discover Jazz Festival), Pennsylvania (Musikfest) and throughout NY (Summer on the Hudson, Harlem Festival of the Arts, Sunset Jazz at Lyndhurst, Lake George Jazz on the Lake). Her compositions have been placed on PBS’s documentary series Roadtrip Nation and performed at Alice Tully Hall. In 2016, she released Compass, a duo CD with guitarist Octavia Romano.
She is a recipient of the 2016 JFund - a grant from the American Composers Forum with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation - to write and premiere Comfort Girl. Comfort Girl is a musical exploration of the lives of Chinese 'comfort women' who were abducted into sexual slavery by the Japanese army during WWII. The work is a tribute to these young women’s incandescent courage and indomitable spirit, not only while in captivity during the War but also—in a cruel irony—when they returned home to their families, who didn’t always welcome them back with open arms. Comfort Girl premiered to a sold-out audience at Joe's Pub at the Public in March 2019, with support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Creative Engagement grant.
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“One of New York’s most socially relevant and ambitious jazz talents...” ”A Mighty, Harrowing New Suite... a phanstasmagorical song cycle...” ”What was most striking about the show was not only Chou’s ability to shift between musical styles, but her prowess as a lyricist.” — New York Music Daily, 5/16/19, from a review of Stephanie Chou's world premiere of "Comfort Girl" show at Joe's Pub at the Public, "A Rare City Park Show and a Mighty, Harrowing New Suite from Stephanie Chou"
Primary Instrument
Saxophone, alto
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Piano, Voice, Saxophone, Composition Rates starting at $120/hour
Clinic/Workshop Information
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS Inspired by Steph's work with the Columbia University Business School's Executive Education Jazz Leadership seminars, these unique programs unpack the nuances of communication and creative collaboration through an exploration of improvisational jazz. This interactive, entertaining, and practical session—part workshop, master class, performance, and conversation— is perfect for corporate retreats or stand-alone professional development programs
Music
Videos
Stephanie Chou
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
Born: November, 1987
