Semay Wu

Semay Wu (sē mā wo͞o) -she/her- is a composer, cellist/improviser, and media/sound artist who focuses increasingly on interdisciplinary perspectives. Her approach to compositional work is greatly influenced by, and is embedded, in improvisational frameworks. These provide a space for the players to build relationships through collaboration, listening deeply, internal groove, and making spontaneous decisions. Inspired by everyday environmental sounds, however experienced, Semay enjoys getting drawn to her visual side to encourage ideas of texture and ‘play’. Recent works have been made as video pieces, performance/interactive-installations, graphic scores, as well as working with communities for online digital presentations.

Based now in Stenhousemuir, Semay studied cello under Jenny Curtis and Clive Greensmith, at the Royal Northern College of Music (96-02). In a rare opportunity/sabbatical, she found her way to the Institute of Sonology, at the Royal Conservatorium in The Hague, and STEIM in Amsterdam (13-16), and ended up doing a Masters in Music. Her research was through interdisciplinary and experimental acoustic/e-a/electronic perspectives, especially, in relationships found within sound, space and gesture. The experience there exposed her to lots of 'new' technologies (e.g., using DIY electronics, sensor technology, live-capture/fixed visuals, and programming through MaxMSP software), and many alternative ways to present: all of which have greatly influenced her work since.