LIVE PERFORMANCE • THE LITTLE CAFE

Ken Luk is a guitarist and mandolinist; one of the cofounders of Rochester Classical Guitar; an instructor at Alfred University, SUNY Geneseo, the Eastman Community Music School and the State University of New York at Fredonia; and a founding member of the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra and The Janus Duo (with Tom Torrisi), as well as a member of artist-led chamber music group fivebyfive. You may have heard him performing Brailian choro music at the Little Cafe.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ken studied with Dr. Nicholas Goluses and finished his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music, where he also earned a Master of Art degree in Music Theory Pedagogy at Eastman. Ken is an avid arranger of the guitar, and was a finalist in the Roland Dyens Arranging International Competition 2017. Ken has performed with double bassist Wanling Chuang at the Experiencing Villa-Lobos Festival, WXXI’s Live from Hochstein, and Rochester Fringe Festival. Ken has also performed and recorded with guitarists Erik Gibelyou and Bernardo Marcondes Rodrigues as Trio Ghidorah, and released their debut album, Dances and Fantasies, in 2021.

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Leah Ou was born in Chengdu, China, where she began her classical training on the pipa, an instrument with a history spanning over two millennia. Her musical journey bridges ancient traditions and contemporary innovation, drawing from a diverse repertoire that includes centuries-old compositions, original improvisations, and modern songs performed with her super-charged Chinese rock band.

Leah’s artistry explores the pipa’s wide expressive range—from melodic and percussive textures to serene and otherworldly sounds—emphasizing authenticity and pride in the rich traditions of her musical culture. Her work reflects a deep commitment to preserving vibrant musical legacies while pushing the boundaries of expression through collaboration and creative experimentation.

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