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Chia-Yu Hsu is a Taiwanese composer who has made a name for herself in the world of classical music. Born in 1983 in Taipei, Taiwan, Hsu showed an early interest in music and began studying piano at the age of four. She later went on to study composition at the National Taiwan Normal University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in 2005. After completing her undergraduate studies, Hsu moved to the United States to pursue further education in music. She earned her Master's degree in composition from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2008, and her Doctorate in composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2012. Throughout her career, Hsu has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a composer. In 2009, she was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award for her piece "The Silent Forest." She has also been a finalist for the American Prize in Composition and the International Music Prize for Excellence in Composition. Hsu's music is characterized by its use of traditional Taiwanese instruments and folk melodies, as well as its incorporation of Western classical music techniques. Her compositions often explore themes of nature, spirituality, and cultural identity. One of Hsu's most well-known works is her piece "The Silent Forest," which was inspired by the natural beauty of Taiwan's forests and the threat of deforestation. The piece features a combination of Western and Taiwanese instruments, including the erhu (a two-stringed bowed instrument), the dizi (a bamboo flute), and the sheng (a Chinese mouth organ). Another notable work by Hsu is her piece "The Four Elements," which was commissioned by the Taipei Symphony Orchestra in 2016. The piece is a musical representation of the four classical elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and features a combination of Western and Taiwanese instruments. In addition to her work as a composer, Hsu is also a dedicated educator. She has taught composition at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has given masterclasses and workshops at universities and music festivals around the world. Overall, Chia-Yu Hsu is a talented and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Her unique blend of Taiwanese and Western musical traditions has earned her a reputation as one of the most exciting and original voices in contemporary classical music.

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