2022 here we come! First things first, oops I missed out on 2021 (Happy 6th Anna-versary). I was too busy getting excited over two things - 1) my vibraphone and vocal project, Heenaa! 2) Applying for higher degree research. You guessed it, I did both and they're in full launch. Last 'Anna-versary' post I mentioned working on my solo vibraphone and vocal project, and now I have original songs! You can head to my Instagram for the videos or listen to them on SoundCloud below. I am aiming to release one cover and one original song every month - wish me luck! 

You might have noticed I created a new sub-page for this website under the heading, 'Music'. It details all my songwriting, compositions as well as arrangements. Majority of the arrangements were created for my students, and therefore they're free education resources for percussion teachers! Feel free to browse and contact me if you have any questions. One of my favourite arrangements is the TV show Friend's theme song, 'I'll Be There For You', which was arranged for my Percussion Ensemble 1 at school during lockdown and is dedicated to a student who was going through chemotherapy at the time. The arrangement was rehearsed online and parts were recorded separately by the students, later edited together by yours truly. We showed the final edited video to the student, when we reunited together again at school. Needless to say, it was a very beautiful moment in my career as a teacher.

Another path that I began in my career is 'Research'! Also a new sub-page that details my experience and endeavours as a researcher. I began my doctorate degree in mid-2020, which was probably the biggest thing that happened that year. As of today, I have completed my confirmation milestone! It has been such an incredible journey so far in learning the skills in research, academia, writing and furthering my knowledge in high school percussion instrumental music education. My last Anna-versary blog stated I was applying for a Masters, and long story short I did not expect myself to receive the doctorate position with a scholarship at University of Queensland. I also have an incredible supervising team of three illustrious women in the fields of music, education and psychology, and I can't wait to contribute my research to society. This year I will be presenting at the 35th International Society for Music Education (ISME) World Conference and is set to be held online due to the current pandemic situation. I am so excited, I even got headshots done for this new journey of mine! Do I look professional?

Last, but not least, I might have said yes to too many things late last year. This year, I'm performing in three amateur musicals (Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, MAMAMIA), began three separate duet projects (with harp, flute, and woodwind) that include new arrangements and compositions, and on top of that I mentioned earlier I'm releasing one cover and one original song a month for my solo vibraphone and vocal project, Heenaa. Oh, did I forget mention that my podcast, Musicians Unmuted, is still happening too!? Funny how life gives you everything at once, when you least expect it.

Am I crazy? Maybe.
Am I excited? Absolutely. 
Am I ready for 2022? Bring it on. 

Laugh, Love, Live saying YES to 2022!

Wow! It's been five years since we launched this website. How crazy is that? I have to say this journey has only begun, and I'm so excited to enjoy the rest of this ride. I have to be honest, I have been a bit quiet for the past two years in regards to performing. Except I've made a vow to myself that this year of 2020 I'm going to start putting out more music - more original, more honest, more from my heart. 

Firstly, I have finally achieved something I've been talking about for ages since the two year hiatus! Musicians Unmuted is back! It's now run as a one-woman show and still features guests from our Brisbane music scene community. I'm ready to get this train going, and to start it off I launched episode 12 about 'behind the scenes' - a look into what goes behind the podcast.

I also launched a new website at https://musiciansunmuted.weebly.com! Don't forget to follow the podcast on Facebook, SoundCloud, Apple podcast or other podcast platforms to keep updated with the latest!

In other exciting news, I also created a public Instagram account. On it I've continued to dabble in my vocal and vibraphone project, and I've been putting up short covers online. You can view it on my Facebook account as well. Here's a video below for you to enjoy.

Although I seem to be more active in the project since 2019, I actually started experimenting with this since 2015. The first ever clip I recorded was a short cover of Demi Lovato's Catch Me. Then I started dabbling with jazz on Angels Eyes in early 2016. Then in 2019, I gained my passion in it again and covered Paramore's Fake Happy.

It's always been in the back of my mind, and it was definitely a project I wanted to explore and experiment in. I have to say all the beautiful and supportive comments from my friends and colleagues really pushed me to get my act together for it. A particular shout out to Nozomi Omote, my teacher from tertiary, who constantly reminded me to pursue it. So here we are! I honestly can't wait to show you what I have in store.

My Instagram account also features my other musical and artistic endeavours, such as playing piano, guitar or even dancing! I used to think in life we had to find that one thing we're good at, will become well known for or represent as an individual in the community. Except I'm starting to realise we're human, and we're just finding ways on how to express ourselves. This is more so true for the creative minds in life. That we are more than what we label ourselves and what others label us to be. We are who we are, and that can be whatever you want it to be. As long as you're happy, healthy and loving life, then live your dream to the fullest and that's what I'm going to do this year. 

Laugh, Love, Live as YOU.

Anna x

It's been a long journey, since I started this website and began 'Anna Kho Music'. So far I've completed two degrees, I've landed a dream job in teaching, and I feel a new space of positivity and balance. Also for once in my life, I won't be studying this year! So what's to come in 2018, you ask?

Firstly, teaching is most definitely happening. My love for teaching continuously increases every year, and I absolutely love my job! I have never enjoyed teaching so much before, and this year has definitely proven to be the best. My students are all incredible and have so much potential to bloom into beautiful musicians and people. I can't wait to see them grow year by year. I'm blessed with the amazing opportunities I've been given, and I hope to do my best for them all.

Secondly, Musicians Unmuted is definitely continuing into 2018! We've released 10 episodes so far, and episode 11 will be up very soon - many thanks to the hard working Daniel Kassulke, who is currently editing it to perfection. It features Peter Breen, which perfectly sums up our first season of episodes that focused on the future generation of the Brisbane music scene. Peter Breen has been an incredibly supportive member of the community, and is consistently looking out for young artists and musicians by supporting this scene through Jugglers Art Space, The Stairwell Project and his pure kindness and humility. Last year, Musicians Unmuted curated a concert dedicated to Peter Breen with invited performers from our previous episodes throughout the year. It was a successful concert, so we hope to do more of these in 2018 as well as new events, such as open panels and Q&A. Feel free to let us know your feedback on the podcasts!

In terms of my creativity as a performer, I'm sure to get back into it and begin planning my own concerts again. I miss it a lot, and perhaps crave for it. The thrill, adrenaline, and feeling of achievement and contribution to the Brisbane community. The podcast has been an incredible inspiration and influence to me, and a fantastic reminder of why I do what I do. Here is a video below of the final performance in Musicians Unmuted Concert 2018, directed by Jasmin Leung. It is such a beautiful sound in a beautiful space with beautiful people. This is why I love Brisbane, and this is why I chose the path I lead today.

I haven't entirely given up on studying. I think as a human, you are constantly learning and growing no matter your age. I even learn from my students, and that's the beauty of teaching. I want to continue to study for a Masters degree, and hopefully doing so by applying for an overseas university to begin a Masters of Music Psychology in Education in 2019. My dream is to continue teaching and performing, while completing this part time degree online. It will be a new journey of discovery once again, and I'm so excited to get into it.

I've always been a big dreamer, and they seem to keep coming true.

Laugh, Love and Live your dreams! 

Anna x

Every musician has a voice. It can be a journey that all of us go through to find that individual voice. Some musicians don't find it, some musicians do, and some are still developing it. I've been through all these stages in my music career. It can be one of the most frustrating journeys, and sometimes feel like a dead end or may impact your choice to discontinue your music career. Is my voice worth something? Are people listening to my voice? Should I even bother anymore? It can be quite scary.

This all sounds very obnoxious and selfish, but I believe an individual voice and identity is important to musicians and to people in general. It defines who we are and our purpose in our lives and communities. Without it there is no point in waking up or doing something in our everyday lives. I guess, it's difficult for musicians to find a unique voice. Instruments may sound the same, music start to sound similar, and people start seeking a 'position' to fill rather than a 'voice'. In this industry, we start to become products, and the only thing motivating us is the audience, fans and self-satisfaction in what we do. The people give credibility to our voices, and gives us a sense of empowerment to make change through our art. Without feedback, we wouldn't know why we're here in the first place.

I remember the moment when I chose music as a career path, and started taking it seriously. I was performing with my high school percussion ensemble in front of a crowd of thousands, and millions if you counted the audience watching the televised performance. After the performance we got a standing ovation and a roaring cheer from the crowd. I remember standing there thinking, 'Wow, music has such an impact. Something so simple and short can move so many people. Something I loved was loved by others. If this is what it feels like to be a musician, then I want to pursue it. I want to make a change with my music, and continue doing what I love doing.' It was this moment that I felt I had a voice in music, and it meant something.

However, as I became more experienced I began to see the reality of the music industry. To have a voice, meant to have a product. To be labelled as a product kind of feels empty inside, and acts as another number and object in the world. It's because of this reason that I started questioning my voice, and whether its authentic or just another product. You would think an improvised voice in jazz or free improvisation was unique, but the sound is automatically stereotyped to a genre and style. Eventually, you're heard as another voice within that music community - another product.

I started questioning this through my experience with my jazz ensemble. At first, starting jazz felt like having a completely individual and unique voice. Compared to interpreting written classical works, I was arranging my own tunes and improvising with my own voice. I started exploring music further than traditional jazz, only to realise that some people in the audience just want to hear the good old jazz standard. I started viewing my ensemble, at first a free platform to explore and express, now becoming a product of entertainment. I was lost, and uncertain about my purpose in music. I didn't know what my voice was anymore. Was music like this the whole time, and I was just oblivious to it? It couldn't be, because why are all these musicians here in the first place? So what does it take to have a voice?

​I started reflecting on all my experiences that I've had. I realised that a voice is having a meaning behind it. When you say something, it's a means of expression, a statement, or something from the heart and mind. It needs to have intention behind it to have presence, and that could mean the voice of a product or means of money making - and that's absolutely okay. As long as it has meaning, then the audience will believe it and so will you. If it doesn't, then what's the point playing music in the first place. For me, I like performing music with a story or idea behind it. My honours graduating recital was themed around the idea of 'Caged Wings', which is my personal story as a musician slowly freeing myself from constraints. For the first time, I also composed a piece for it. It was an incredible experience, and I felt like my voice meant something and people were listening too. Here are the recordings from my recital, which were recorded and mixed by Daniel Kassulke.

I think only recently did I discover that having a voice as a musician, doesn't mean it has to be through peformance. There are so many people out there who have a voice in the music industry through other professions, such as sound engineering, curatoring, managing, producing, directing, editing, educating and so on. They all express their voice and ideas through music, and you don't have to be a performer to do so. Recently, I started a podcast called Musicians Unmuted, and the episodes feature musicians and other professions in the Brisbane music scene to discuss topics and various issues in their lives. It was created by Maya Luski and myself, and recently we were joined by Daniel Kassulke as well. We're all passionate about podcasts and the Brisbane music scene, and we absolutely love our job! It's a non-profit project with so much potential, and we can't wait to see it grow into something amazing for you all to enjoy! Listen to our recent episodes below.

Most importantly, I believe your voice as a person is what's important. The voice, heart and mind is what drives the art, so you need to find yourself first to know what kind of voice you want. I think it's inevitable that life surrounding you will affect your voice, but as long as you stay true to it then it won't lose authenticity. I believe the musician's voice is always changing, because the world is constantly changing. The journey is never ending, and that's the exciting part about it. Every now and then you'll make an impact, and someone listening will take that and make their own impact - the world goes round and round. A voice can do so much, but I guess it doesn't matter unless an ear is nearby to hear it.


Laugh, Love, Live finding your voice! 

​Anna x

Another new year means new beginnings! Here we are again, and today this website is 2 years old! Can you believe that!? It's not only a new beginning, but also a whole new chapter in Anna Kho Music. Late last year I graduated from my Bachelor of Music with Honours at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. I'm now studying a new path in music. I'm currently doing my Graduate Diploma in Education at University of Queensland. A new degree, a new university and a whole new campus and community. On my way to becoming a qualified teacher! On top of that there are all new projects coming your way this year! Here's one below: 

​That's right! I'm starting a new podcast with my friend, Maya Luski, who will be recording and the editing the episodes hosted by myself. There will also be many, many special guests to come! It's a podcast that focuses on the musicians and other professions in the Brisbane music scene, and will also feature different performance venues and upcoming local gigs and projects! Super exciting! You can even follow Musicians Unmuted on Facebook to keep yourself updated with the podcast episodes and more information on our beautiful music community in Brisbane.

Of course, Anna Kho Music room and private teaching still continues. If you're keen to get lessons, please feel free to contact me. This year I'm teaching percussion (mallets, snare, timpani and drum kit) and piano to new and ongoing students of all ages. They're a delightful bunch of passionate and aspiring musicians, which I can't wait to see them all progress this year. A couple of students are preparing for AMEB, Trinity or music school exams, and others are continuing their love for the instrument and music! 

Gigs have already started this year with Anna Kho-tet kicking it off in February at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University on 21st Feb 2017. The concert was featured in a new concert series that I'll be running this year called 'Clazzical'. It is a concert series that brings together the world of classical and jazz music and musicians. It's time we celebrate cross-genre musicians, and their love and talent in both of the genres. Please message me, if you want to hear more about the concert or participate in it as a performer! On top of that, there will be many more exciting gigs coming your way. I've been invited to play with Nonsemble again at a Dots+Loops concert on May 19th 2017, which I'll be a featured percussion soloist alongside Jamee Seeto. We'll be performing my all time favourite, Above Ground by Robert Davidson, but this time all the movements! I'm so excited!!!! Definitely go check that out, and keep updated with the gigs and projects on this website or through my Facebook page.

Missed out on gigs from last year? That's all good! Some of them are uploaded onto my Soundcloud and YouTube channel. So go check them out! Here's one below:

Is there more? Of course there's always room for more! This won't be consistent, but I'm hoping to experiment with solo vocal and vibraphone. This is quite new to me, and I'm keen to give it a go.  I want to focus on some more solo works in my free time, so I can expand my vocabulary and work on my own technique, expression and voice. I can't wait to get things going, and even compose some original works soon too! I'm keen to share you my music, and hopefully get some feedback for it too!

​As you can see, 2017 will be filled with music in all shapes and forms. It'll be a busy year, but a thrilling one for sure. I hope you enjoy the music and projects that I'm sharing, and I hope to see you in the future at one of them too! 

​
Laugh, Love, Live to new beginnings! 

Anna x