Andy Akiho

Called “trailblazing” by the Los Angeles Times, Andy Akiho is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and five-time GRAMMY®-nominated composer whose bold works unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while constantly breaking the boundaries of classical music. Sought by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, Akiho has earned international acclaim for his sweeping, large-scale compositions that highlight the theatricality of live performance.

His latest work, Nisei, is a powerful new concerto written for acclaimed cellist — and longtime collaborator — Jeffrey Zeigler. The piece, which honors the pair’s musical partnership as well as shared heritage (both are half Japanese) headlined this year’s Sun Valley Music Festival, with highly anticipated upcoming performances by Oregon Symphony, Bozeman Symphony, and ProMusica.

Also a virtuosic steel pannist, Akiho has a deeply physical relationship with playing, which undoubtedly informs his compositions. His style is also shaped by his unique path as a composer: having spent most of his 20s playing steel pan by ear in Trinidad and New York City, Akiho only began writing music at age 28.

Born in 1979 in Columbia, SC, Akiho is based in Portland, OR, and New York City.