Dr. Ryan Somerville is a trailblazing composer renowned for his groundbreaking orchestral compositions that seamlessly intertwine with immersive visual productions. From film and theater to dance, hip-hop, and pop artists, as well as virtual reality environments and digital art, he has fearlessly collaborated with visionary musical acts and brought his innovative touch to diverse creative realms.
His remarkable journey began with the premiere of his string quintet “Sono Quel Che Sono” by the prestigious Edinburgh Quartet at London’s King Place, a breakthrough moment that propelled his career forward. This accomplishment was followed by an encore performance of “Embrace The Absurdity” by the renowned Diotima Quartet. Notably, his self-produced orchestra and the Edinburgh Quartet showcased his work at the Reid Concert Hall during a captivating concert.
Dr. Somerville’s educational background includes an M.Mus. and a Ph.D. in Composition from the University of Edinburgh, where he flourished under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as Peter Nelson and Nigel Osborne. His Ph.D. research delved into the realm of collaborations between artists from different practices, redefining the creative process and exploring the experience of music in private and public spaces.
Recognized for his artistic prowess, Dr. Somerville held an Artistic Associate position at the Banff Centre in Canada from 2014 to 2015, further enriching his creative journey. In 2016, he embarked on an artist residency at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China, which provided him with invaluable opportunities to expand his artistic horizons.
Recent years have seen Dr. Somerville’s work making waves in the industry. His composition for the short film “She Runs” (2019) by Qiu Yang earned critical acclaim, winning the Leitz Cine Discovery Prize at Semaine de la Critique Cannes 2019 and receiving screenings at prestigious festivals worldwide. Noteworthy collaborations include his original composition “Ritual” and his reimagining of Ravel’s “Boléro,” both featured in a captivating ballet premiered at the National Theatre Taipei in 2019. Additionally, his collaboration with artist-in-residence Andy Yen led to the theatrical production “Demon In The Mirror” (2018) and the music video-dance performance “Organs Without Body,” featured on Creators Vice News.
Dr. Ryan Somerville’s bold artistic vision, coupled with his fearless exploration of creative boundaries, continues to shape the musical landscape and captivate audiences worldwide.