Peter S. Shin is a composer based in Los Angeles. Described by the New York Times as “a composer to watch” with music that is “entirely fresh and personal,” Shin is drawn to understanding how his music folds into the broader conversations around human connection, representation, and belonging in the United States via his Korean-U.S. American lens. Shin is the recipient of both the Charles Ives Scholarship and Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Hodder Fellowship from Princeton University, Fromm Foundation Commission from Harvard University, Yaddo Fellowship, and a Fulbright Research Grant.
In its citation for the Charles Ives Fellowship, the American Academy of Arts and Letters observed that Shin “has already established an individual voice,” singling out Hyo, a work in which he reflects on his family’s immigration story from South Korea, exploring themes of genealogy and life’s impermanence against the backdrop of anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 outbreak. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Academy praised the work for “a sophisticated wide range of beautiful orchestral sounds,” calling it “heartfelt, original music.”
Recent projects include expanding his “Hallyu Interventions” series which contends with the globalization of K-Pop, and the release of his 25-minute vocal work, Bits torn from words, on Roomful of Teeth’s Grammy Award-winning album, Rough Magic.
At MacDowell, Shin finished a revision of an orchestral work for conductor Jeffrey Kahane’s inaugural season as Music Director at the San Antonio Philharmonic, and began dreaming up his second work for Roomful of Teeth. He also lost many pool games at Bond Hall.
Portrait by Jonathan Lee
