Kia Ora! I'm Joel, and welcome to my virtual show space.
I compose and arrange original music for animations and short films, as well as music for piano, small ensembles, and orchestra. While I love composing cinematic orchestral works, I also enjoy writing intimate yet intense pieces for smaller ensembles.Beyond music composition, I am also a stage tech manager and audio-visual/broadcast systems technician with several years of experience.
Recent Works
Joel Jayson Chuah
Hailing from Singapore, I am a freelance composer and audio-visual technician now based in Wellington, New Zealand. Growing up, I was always fascinated by film and game music, although I was not particularly interested in composition until I was twenty. Today, however, I have a deep interest in composing new music, particularly for animation and games.Having started out as an audio-visual technician in Singapore, I spent several years assisting in the design and installation of AV systems, as well as operating live-streaming equipment at public and private events. In 2020 I formally made the shift to music composition, enrolling at the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM), where I picked up a love for writing orchestral and chamber music. Today, I have several composition projects in progress, including a score for a short animation, as well as several recordings planned for my recent works. I am also still active as a freelance AV technician, having assisted with the execution of several recent concerts at the NZSM.
About Atelier Yukine
Composition, for me, is more than just creating music - like a handcrafted accessory, or a well made work bag, my greatest wish is to create music that is meaningful to someone and with purpose. It is with this mission in mind that I have chosen the word "Atelier" in naming this space; it is a reminder to myself that I am not simply composing, but rather crafting music that will ultimately serve a purpose. "Yukine" comes from a pseudonym I sometimes use.
Compositional Portfolio
Music for Animation & Film
Spring (Re-scored 2023)
Originally scored by Torin Borrowdale, this short animation was re-scored as part of a university course project. Foley, vocal and sound effects were reworked by Noah Lee.
Master of One's Skin (2021)
A short film from Singapore about loss, self-esteem, and coming to terms with one's sexuality. This film features an electronic soundtrack created by passing instrument recordings through a suite of distortion amps and other wave manipulation/delay filters.
Concert Works
Resolve - Turbulence (2023)
As the first movement of Resolve, a three-part project, Turbulence explores the question of how we react to, and struggle against the trauma of loss and depression. Composed for string quintet and two pianos, Turbulence experiments with spatial movements and texture over a harmony generated using Tone-Clock Theory.First performed at a Sounds of Te Kōkī concert in October 2023.
Fields of Wondrous Adventure (2021)
Fields of Wondrous Adventure is a fun little piece composed for wind and string ensemble, drawing inspiration from games such as The Legend of Zelda and Ni No Kuni. Evoking a sense of wonder and magic, this work seeks to bring to life an adventure in a fantasy world filled with awe and curiosity.First performed at a Sounds of Te Kōkī concert in May 2023.
Other Instrumental Works
Rippled Reflections (2024)
At the break of dawn by the shores of Lake Motosu, a lone paddle boarder glides across the water. The ripples from his wake fan out over the perfectly still surface of the lake, gently distorting the image of Mt. Fuji reflected within. As the sun rises higher, the once sharp reflection of the dawn landscape becomes indistinct.First performed at a Sounds of Te Kōkī concert in September 2024 (Recording yet to be released).
Resolve - Anguish (2023)
The second movement of the Resolve project, Anguish picks up where Turbulence left off, focusing on the impact of trauma, and the struggle to heal and reclaim what was lost.
Dance of the Reaper (2023)
A short piece composed for violin and cello, Dance of the Reaper speaks of our fear of our own mortality, and how we often seek to avoid death at all costs. Yet despite it all, we eventually fade away into nothingness.
Kawa no Koe / Voice of the River (2023)
A short work for solo piano that follows the journey of a river as it winds and carves its way through the landscape. Inspired by the Azusa River that flows through the Kamikochi National Park in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.First performed at a Sounds of Te Kōkī concert in September 2024 (Recording yet to be released).
Frozen Evenings (2023)
The short, cold days of winter often bring a strange sense of uncertainty and ennui for many. A short piece written for solo flute, Frozen Evenings is a musical depiction of this experience, placing the listener outdoors in the biting wind as the sun slowly sets, tension building in the moments just before the light disappears beneath the horizon.
Memory in Time in Memory (2022)
A intimate, introspective work for piano and viola, Memory in Time in Memory explores how our memories interact and change with time.First performed at the 2023 Lilburn Trust NZSM Composers' Competition Concert, where it was awarded first equal prize.
Of Loss and Hope (2022)
Written for orchestra, Of Loss and Hope is a deeply personal work that is perhaps best described as an act of mourning - for the loss of friendships, faith, and the death of a dream.Originally composed as part of an orchestration course, no public recordings of this work currently exist - this will hopefully change sometime in the future.
Unpublished Recordings
The recordings here remain unpublished - they are unpolished, contain mistakes, or are of inadequate quality for publishing. That said, they provide a good idea of how some of the works are meant to sound. Some of the audio files linked here may be MIDI mockups instead of recordings.Programme Notes for the listed recordings here can be found by clicking the button below.
Rippled Reflections (2024)
This is a MIDI Mockup - recording made during Sounds of Te Kōkī 2024 is currently being edited.
Resolve - Anguish (2023)
This is a MIDI Mockup - recording planned for 2025.
Dance of the Reaper (2023)
This is a workshop reading recorded in 2023 - a professional recording is planned for 2025.
Kawa no Koe / Voice of the River (2023)
This is a workshop reading recorded in 2023 - recording made during Sounds of Te Kōkī 2024 is currently being edited.
Memory in Time in Memory (2022)
This is a low-quality recording made in 2022 - a professional recording is planned for 2025.
Creative & Technical Services
As a media composer and audio-visual technician, my foremost goal is to help enhance your projects, either through composing new music or back-end technical support. Being part of the process of creating and bringing new stories and art out into the world gives me immense satisfaction - be it writing an original soundtrack for media, managing the technical aspects of a concert/stage production, or helping design/upgrade audio-visual system for your production needs.I have broken down the types of services I offer into several groups below, as the commission process and rates can differ greatly depending on the sort of work I am required to perform. If you'd like to find out more about what I can do for you, or how I determine my rates, kindly get in touch using the contact form.
Creative Composition
As a media composer, I typically compose for film, animation, and games. I also compose instrumental pieces for recitals/concerts ranging from solo instruments to full orchestra. If you'd like to commission me for a composition project, I'll first need to know the scale, scope of work, and timeframe of the project to determine the amount of time I'll need to dedicate to it.
Stage Tech Management
As a Stage Tech Manager, I provide back-end support for concerts, musicals, and theatre performances. This support includes stage management, audio, and/or lighting technician duties. If you'd like to commission me for an event, I'll first need to know the scale, scope of work required of me, and timeframe of the event, from pre-production to post-production.
Audio-Visual / Broadcast Systems Integration
As an Audio-visual and Broadcast Systems Integration Technician, I provide consultancy and support services for designing and installing audio-visual and/or broadcast systems in studios and venues. I am able to provide system designs for inclusion in tender documents, as well as assist with the system installation process. If you'd like to bring me on board to assist with the design and/or installation of an audio-visual or broadcast system, I'll first need to know the scale, scope of work required of me, and project timeframe.
How may I help?
If you'd like to bring me on board for a project that you're working on, or simply want to know more about the services I provide, please contact me using the form below. Thank you!