Emily Koh (b.1986) is a Singaporean composer-bassist based in Atlanta whose music elevates the ordinary by sonically exploring everyday human experiences. Often described as otherworldly with raw, intense grit, her works layer intricate details into soundscapes that are both striking and immersive. A collaborative and multifaceted creator, she thrives on working with other artists to bring new ideas to life.

Hailed as “the future of composing” (The Straits Times), Emily has received numerous awards, including the Copland House Residency Award, Young Artist Award from Singapore’s National Arts Council, Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize (Asian Composers League), ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, and the Prix D’Été (Peabody). Her work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Opera America, New Music USA, the Barlow Endowment, MacDowell, and others. Critics have called her music “beautifully eerie” (New York Times) and “subtly spicy” (Baltimore Sun).

Her compositions have been performed worldwide across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, by ensembles such as Guerilla Opera, Alarm Will Sound, PRISM Quartet, Ensemble Dal Niente, Talea Ensemble, Trio Accanto, Avanti!, orkest de ereprijs, the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and Singapore Chinese Orchestra, among many others. Her works are published by Babel Scores and Poco Piu Publishing, and recorded on Innova, XAS, New Focus, and Ravello labels.

Emily is Associate Professor of Music Composition at the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music. She has also taught at Brandeis, Harvard, MIT, Longy (Bard College), Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and international programs such as the Alba Music Festival and International Composition Institute of Thailand. She holds degrees from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (BM), Peabody Institute (MM), and Brandeis University (PhD).

She serves on the leadership team of ensemble vim in Atlanta, is National Treasurer of the Society of Composers Inc., and advises several new music organizations. Past roles include leadership with the Boston New Music Initiative, Lunar Ensemble, and the Composers Society of Singapore. Outside music, Emily enjoys food, art, gardening, tea, horror movies, and strategy board games.