Early Life and Education
Jin-Wei Huang, born in Taiwan, began studying music at an early age and quickly showed a strong sensitivity to rhythm and timbre. Over time, he developed a contemporary musical language centered on percussion.
He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Taipei National University of the Arts, where he studied under Ju Tzong-Ching, Wu Shih-San, and Wu Pei-Ching. During this period, he built a solid foundation in performance technique and stage practice, while gradually forming a broader artistic vision across disciplines. He later pursued advanced studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon (CNSMD Lyon) in France, focusing on contemporary music and advanced performance training. There, he studied with Minh-Tam Nguyen, Alexandre Esperet, Adrien Pineau, and Yang Yi-Ping. This experience further expanded his musical language into the field of European contemporary sound and helped him develop a personal aesthetic in sound exploration.
Artistic Career and Performances
As an active performer in the international contemporary percussion scene, Jin-Wei works across solo performance, chamber music, theatre, and interdisciplinary projects. His performances have taken him across Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Early in his career, he toured with ensembles in China, Hong Kong, and the United States, and participated in international exchange projects at institutions such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the Central Conservatory of Music, and Tokyo University of the Arts. He has also been invited to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).
Research, Projects, and Interdisciplinary Work
Jin-Wei’s interdisciplinary work includes the JPG Lab project with sound artists, combining image, programming, and digital sound to expand the possibilities of percussion in contemporary performance. He has also been active in international platforms such as the Modern Music Festival, Nuit Blanche, Contemporary Art Festival, and Geneva Music Festival. In addition, he has collaborated with the Strasbourg Percussion Group in France and the Eklekto Percussion Group in Geneva, taking part in contemporary repertoire interpretation and sound-based experimental creation.
Teaching and Artistic Leadership
He is currently a percussion professor at the Conservatoire de Melun in France and has previously taught at the Conservatoire de Toulon. His teaching includes keyboard percussion, contemporary music interpretation, and chamber music collaboration. He has also regularly given masterclasses and workshops in Europe and Asia and has participated in various international music education exchange programs. He has also served as a jury member in competitions.
Awards and Recognitions
Jin-Wei has received consistent recognition in the international percussion field and has won awards in various international competitions. His competition experience spans Taiwan, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, and South Korea. He has participated in competitions such as the TROMP International Percussion Competition in the Netherlands and the Shanghai IPEA International Percussion Competition. In 2024, he received First Prize in duo and Best Interpretation Award at the Universal Marimba Competition. His artistic practice remains active in international music and arts festivals, regularly contributing to premieres and the development of contemporary repertoire.
A look into Jin-Wei's Setup
Glockenspiel Mallets
Jin-Wei Huang relies on a versatile selection of Kolberg Glockenspiel and Filigrana mallets, providing him with an exceptionally wide range of tonal colors and expressive possibilities. From precise orchestral passages to the finest nuances of contemporary music, the different models offer an ideal balance of articulation, dynamic control, and responsiveness. The Filigrana Series, in particular, plays an important role in his repertoire. Its specially developed aluminum and bronze heads mounted on finely tapered rattan shafts allow for exceptionally refined sound production on crotales, glockenspiel, cymbals, and other metal percussion instruments.
Photo Credits: Venera Red