Nicky Sohn
Theory + Composition
Office: UMC-C304
e-mail: nicky.sohn@csulb.edu
Selected as one of the "Cool 100" by Houston CityBook Magazine alongside figures such as Simone Biles and Megan Thee Stallion, composer Nicky Sohn is a sought-after voice in contemporary classical music. Known for her jazz-inspired, rhythmically driven language and vivid storytelling, Sohn’s music has been praised internationally for being "undoubtedly the crowd pleaser of the evening" (YourObserver), "dynamic and full of vitality" (The Korea Defense Daily), showcasing "colorful orchestration" (NewsBrite), and evoking "elegant wonder" (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung).
Sohn has received commissions and performances from leading institutions including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Minnesota Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, National Orchestra of Korea, and Aspen Music Festival. Her work has also been featured by the New York Choreographic Institute, Stuttgart Ballet, and Dogs of Desire, reflecting a diverse artistic practice spanning orchestral, chamber, vocal, ballet, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
A passionate collaborator, Sohn frequently works across disciplines to create projects centered on storytelling, identity, and human connection. Her violin concerto, commissioned by Kinetic Ensemble in partnership with The Women’s Home in Houston, an organization supporting women overcoming addiction and homelessness, reflects her commitment to using music as a platform for sharing stories and building community.
Sohn is a recipient of the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Druckman Prize. She has been a composition fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, DACAMERA Young Artist Program, MUSIQA Houston, the Hambidge Center, and the UCross Foundation. Her music has been performed by acclaimed artists and ensembles including WindSync, Isidore Quartet, Kinetic Ensemble, Lucia Lin of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, and numerous others.
Born in South Korea, Sohn moved to the United States at age fourteen to pursue her musical studies. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, and a Bachelor of Music degree and Piano Performance Diploma from Mannes College of Music. Her mentors include Gabriela Lena Frank, Anthony Brandt, Anna Clyne, Christopher Theofanidis, Pierre Jalbert, and Richard Danielpour.
