Suen Ming-Jen Suen Ming-Jen

Taiwanese percussionist Suen Ming-Jen, educated in the United States, was born in Taipei. Suen studied piano from early childhood, was introduced to percussion by 黃錦祥, and went on to study with 吳思珊, 徐伯年 and 朱宗慶. Suen joined the Ten Directions Ensemble (十方樂集) in 2000 and earned a master's degree in percussion performance from Taipei National University of the Arts in 2005. In 2007 Suen began doctoral studies at the University of North Texas, studying with Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Ed Soph, Robert Schietroma and Ed Smith. While in the United States, Suen performed actively and received the university's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, the Dean's Special Award of the College of Music, and an Outstanding Talent Award from the Percussive Arts Society. Beyond performances on campus, Suen appeared at numerous festivals, including the Dallas New Music Festival, the national conference of the Music Teachers National Association, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and a percussion festival in France, and performed Eric Ewazen's The Concerto for Marimba and String Ensemble with the University of North Texas String Orchestra. In June 2011 Suen received a Doctor of Musical Arts in percussion from the University of North Texas (D.M.A., University of North Texas). As a teacher, Suen served as a teaching assistant at the University of North Texas and as a percussion instructor for Carroll ISD; after returning to Taiwan in 2011, Suen has taught at Taichung Second Senior High School, Hsin Min High School and the music program of Caotun Junior High School, and has served as adjunct assistant professor in the music departments of Soochow University and National Taichung University of Education.