News

Welcome! This page is dedicated to the music of Kevin Lau. For quick access to audio-visual recordings of Kevin's compositions, please check out the Media page. Be sure to check back for regular updates!

Kimiko's Pearl

The World Premiere of a new Canadian ballet, Kimiko's Pearl, will take place from June 22-23 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines. Featuring music by Kevin Lau, the ballet dramatizes the Japanese-Canadian internment through the eyes of Kimiko, a modern-day teenager whose family experienced the tragedy of the internment first hand.

CD Release

Kevin Lau's debut album, "Under a Veil of Stars," features the St. John-Mercer-Park Trio and is now available for purchase/streaming on multiple platforms. For more information, visit Under a Veil of Stars and Leaf Music.

Book Release

The Nightingale is now a children's book! Featuring illustrations by Amy Scheidegger Ducos, music and text by Kevin Lau, and performances by Scott St. John, Nathan Williams, Kevin Lau, and narrator Miya Shay. Visit ROCO for more details.

Upcoming Performances (2024 - )

January 18, 2024 - If Life Were a Mirror.... Katya Poplyansky, violin; Kevin Lau, piano. Thursdays at Noon: Laureates-Innovators Series, University of Toronto, ON.

January 28, 2024 - Between the Earth and ForeverSnow Bai, erhu; Niagara Symphony Orchestra. FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines, ON

February 11, 2024 - The Spirit Horse Returns. National Arts Centre Orchestra, conducted by Naomi Woo. National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON.

March 2, 2024 - Stained Glass Rainbows Through Cathedral. Cantabile Chamber Singers, conducted by Cheryll Chung. Church of the Redeemer, Toronto, ON.

March 10, 2024 - String Quartet No. 5 "The Train to Improbable Places". Viano Quartet, Walter Hall UofT, Toronto, ON.

March 17, 2024 - Wind, Sand and Stars. Memorial University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dylan Maddix. St. John's, NL.

April 7, 2024 - String Quartet No. 3. Poiesis Quartet. Schneider Concerts, New York City, NY.

April 12, 2024 - The Spirit Horse Returns. Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Sommerville. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay, ON.

April 28, 2024 - In the Garden of Endless Sleep Caitlin Broms-Jacobs, oboe; Adam Sherkin, piano. Tenri Cultural Institute, New York City.

May 5, 2024 - In the Garden of Endless Sleep Caitlin Broms-Jacobs, oboe; Adam Sherkin, piano. Art and Letters Club, Toronto, ON.

May 5, 2024 - String Quartet No. 6 "Like the Stars in the Firmament". Tesla Quartet. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, Maryland.

June 22-23, 2024 - Kimiko's Pearl. Bravo Niagara!. FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines, ON.

July 13, 2024 - The Seeker. Angela Park, piano. Music at Port Milford, St Mary Magdalene, Picton, ON.

July 14, 2024 - The Storyteller. Shoshana Telner, piano. Music and Beyond, Woodroffe United Church, Ottawa, ON.

July 31, 2024 - Edge of the Sky. Cathy Wood, clarinet; Kerry Duwors, violin; Madeline Hildebrand, piano. ClarinetFest, Dublin Convention Center, Dublin, Ireland.

August 8, 2024 - Song of the Quaking Aspens. Philip Chiu, piano; Ironwood Quartet. Dominion Chalmers Centre, Ottawa, ON.

August 23, 2024 - String Quartet No. 3. Poiesis Quartet. FONTANELICE Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pietro Apostolo, Italy.

September 15, 2024 - Dark Angels Symphonic Suite. Niagara Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bradley Thachuk. FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines, ON.

October 13, 2024 - The Spirit Horse Returns. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Bui. Orpheum, Vancouver, BC.

December 6, 2024 - Prayer in a Green Cathedral. Caitlin Broms-Jacobs, oboe; Sinfonia Toronto, conducted by Nurhan Arman. Jane Mallet Theatre, Toronto, ON.

February 1, 2025 - Across the Jade Sea. Scott St. John, violi; London Sinfonia, conducted by Scott Good. Metroopolitan United, London, ON.

April 9-11, 2025 - Kimiko's Pearl Symphonic Suite. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavi Gimeno. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, ON.

June 22, 2025 - The Ruins of Time. Lizzy Hoyt, mezzo-soprano; Chamber Orchestra of Edmonton. St. Andrew's United Church, Edmonton, AB

Articles and Interviews

May 29, 2024 - National Arts Centre - KIMIKO'S PEARL: A ballet forged across generations

April 3, 2024 - Ludwig Van Toronto - Composer Kevin Lau talks about ballet, composition, and KIMIKO'S PEARL

February 27, 2024 - Ludwig Van Toronto - Cantabile Chamber Choir premieres work by Dr. Kevin Lau

October 5, 2023 - CBC: In Concert - Revelation Hour: Kevin Lau

July 21, 2023 - Symphony Magazine - Four Composers, Multiple Directions

July 5, 2023 - James Strecker Reviews the Arts - Interview with Kevin Wilks Lau

May 26, 2022 - CBC - How Asian-Canadian artists are incorporating their heritage into their music

April 13, 2020 - The Globe and Mail - Artist Is Not Present

February 7, 2020 - Houston Chronicle - ROCO Concerto Inspired by NASA, ancient Chinese instrument

February 7, 2020 - ROCOInsider - Of Two Worlds: Q&A with composer Kevin Lau

November 22, 2019 - Ottawa Citizen - Composer Kevin Lau sheds light on his new work, A DROP OF LIGHT

April 4, 2018 - Chron - The Inspiring Songs of the Nightingale

May 30, 2017 -Musical Toronto Composer Kevin Lau Wins Lynch-Staunton Award

April 17, 2017 - Artsfile - Encount3rs with Ballet: Kevin Lau steps up to the stage

July 9, 2016 - Musical Toronto - Five Minutes with Kevin Lau

June 2, 2016 - The Toronto Star - "Original music the other ingredient of LE PETIT PRINCE

March 2, 2016 -Barczablog - 10 Questions for Kevin Lau

June 26, 2012 - UofT News - Behind the Music of Kevin Lau

February 2, 2012 - Musical Toronto - Enterprising Composer Not Afraid to Toy With Simplicity