Phil Young (杨智华) composes music in various forms, including symphonic, chamber, electronic, vocal, and film. His ability of fusing Chinese and western elements in his music enriches his originality. Mr. Young's ballet music “Middle Kingdom Ancient China” for Ballet San Jose and the Chinese Performing Artists of America is one of many works received enthusiastically by the audiences and the media. His works have been performed by Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley Orchestra, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, South Bay Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, and internationally by Thuringer Symphony of Germany, Beijing Symphony of China and Taiwan National Chinese Orchestra.
A graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Phil Young was granted a full scholarship to study composition with professor Elinor Armer. In 1985, Mr. Young won the Conservatory Composition Competition for his symphonic work " Fantasy for Orchestra" which was then premiered at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. The premier concert including an interview with the composer was broadcasted live by the KQED radio station,
Prior to his study at the San Francisco Conservatory, Phil Young studied with professor Luo Zhongrong in China, and worked as a resident composer for the Symphony Orchestra of the Beijing Song and Dance Group (now known as the Beijing Symphony Orchestra). His ballet music " Sea Waves " and "Fire Dance", written in the 80s for the renowned choreographer , Jia Zuoguang won the Music Award at the China National Dance Competition and "Sea Waves" is included in the Dance Classics of the Chinese Nation in the 20th Century. Video Link
Phil Young currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been involved with various local performing groups. He has co-founded and conducted once popular and active music group South Bay Chamber Ensemble, and has been the Music Director of the Chinese Performing Artists of America and the resident composer of the California Chinese Youth Symphony. Mr. Young's composition Dragon 2000™ for the CPAA has won overwhelming receptions, his concerto for konghou (Chinese harp) and string orchestra "From the East", commissioned and premiered by San Jose Chamber Orchestra, has received favorable review from the San Francisco Classical Voice.