Violinist and Emmy award-winning composer Gary Kuo began his musical studies at the age of eight in his home state of Connecticut. Shortly after receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Juilliard School and the University of Miami, Gary worked as a Los Angeles session musician where he performed on over 100 motion picture soundtracks including The Rock, Clear and Present Danger, and Finding Nemo, and played with dozens of artists such as Pearl Jam, Harry Connick, Jr., and Aerosmith.
Mr. Kuo’s work as a composer for television has been heard on over 160 programs, including the iconic daytime dramas As the World Turns and All My Children for which he won six Emmys. Performances of his compositions have been given at some of the world’s finest concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, and featured by notable soloists and ensembles including the United States Army Field Band, the Osakan Philharmonic Winds, the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, and the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine.
As an artist sponsored by several manufacturers of musical instruments, audio equipment, and software, Mr. Kuo has taught composition and music editing for film and TV at The Master’s University and La Sierra University. In 2015, Gary began producing music regularly for The Young and the Restless, the long-running daytime drama on American television.
Violinist and six-time Emmy award-winning composer Gary Kuo began his formal musical studies at the age of eight in his home state of Connecticut. By his senior year of high school, Gary had won statewide competitions, performed as soloist with several orchestras, and served as concertmaster for numerous festival ensembles, including the All-Eastern MENC Conference Orchestra, where he was chosen from violinists in 12 states to play first chair. At the age of 17, he combined his interests in amateur electronics and woodworking to construct an electric violin of his own design.
Gary moved to New York City after accepting a scholarship to The Juilliard School, where he majored in violin performance as a pupil of Dorothy DeLay. He also explored music technology and composition, self-teaching between classes. His early works as an undergraduate attracted the attention of organizations such as Meet the Composer, one of his first sponsors, and Coopers & Lybrand, which commissioned him to compose and produce the radio theme song for their Summer Jobs program. Gary’s growing interest in film music was given a major boost when he served as concertmaster of the All-American College Orchestra at Walt Disney World, performing with noted Hollywood composers and arrangers, celebrated artists, and entertainers.
After completing his Bachelor of Music degree, Gary accepted a scholarship to the Media Writing and Production graduate program at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Concentrating his studies in orchestration, arranging, composition, and production in a variety of styles, Gary featured the instrument he constructed in his thesis titled The Integration of the Electric Violin into Commercial and Popular Instrumental Music. Gary’s live performances also caught the eye of Coca-Cola, which hired him to appear on camera for their “Thirst for Greatness” advertising campaign for the Summer Olympics. Upon completing his Master of Music degree, Gary relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television.
During his formative years in Hollywood, Gary worked as a session musician performing on over 100 motion picture soundtracks including The Rock, Clear and Present Danger, and Finding Nemo, under the baton of such legendary composers as Elmer Bernstein, James Horner, and Jerry Goldsmith. He has recorded for The Simpsons, JAG, and Family Guy, appeared on live telecasts of The Tonight Show, the Grammy Awards, and the Academy Awards, and played with dozens of artists such as Pearl Jam, Harry Connick, Jr., and Aerosmith.
As a composer, Gary has provided music for over 160 television programs including National Geographic Explorer, The Dog Whisperer, and Mystery Diagnosis. Shortly after receiving the first of five Emmy awards for his work on the daytime drama All My Children, Gary was invited to compose for As the World Turns, winning him a sixth statuette. With five BMI TV Music Awards to his credit, Gary has also seen performances of his compositions given at some of the world’s finest concert venues, including Carnegie Hall. In 2013, MOUNTAIN SPIRES made its debut at the 45th International Horn Symposium. It was an instant success and described as “phenomenally beautiful” and “a staple in the horn choir repertoire,” which resulted in a commission to create a new work for solo horn and concert band. In 2015, WINGSPAN was given its world premiere by Canadian Brass member Jeffrey Nelsen and has since established itself as a favorite among many horn players, receiving performances across the globe by notable soloists and ensembles including the United States Army Field Band, the Osakan Philharmonic Winds, and the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band.
Gary has served as adjudicator for the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards, which for over 30 years has been the premier arts training and scholarship program for high school students in Southern California. He has been invited as a guest speaker and clinician by music educators at all levels to inspire and coach young talent and has appeared on camera for a number of projects including commercials for United Airlines, Honda, and Visa, the sitcom Veronica’s Closet, the drama series Alias, and videos for Faith Hill and Sting.
As an artist sponsored by several manufacturers of musical instruments, audio equipment, and software, Mr. Kuo has taught composition and music editing for film and TV at The Master’s University and La Sierra University. In 2015, Gary began producing music regularly for The Young and the Restless, the long-running daytime drama on American television.
