MJ Kwan is the youngest of five sisters. She grew up in Austin, and has lived in Houston, San Francisco, Paris, Beijing, Chicago, and Brooklyn. Curious and observant, she is always seeking inspiration and seeks to inspire others. She is 31 years old now, living in Boston.
MUSIC
... writes and records original songs and demos for two annual
SONGWRITING / COMPOSITION challenges,
FAWM and
50/90 (2010 - present).
... taught piano and cello to children and adults at the
Old Town School of Folk Music (2013 - 2017). She and friends from the school formed a rock band called Hey Hey Think Think (2015 - 2017).
... performed as solo pianist in multiple concertos with the
Beijing International Chamber Orchestra (2011 - 2013).
... performed
CHAMBER MUSIC with her classmates at violin making school, coached by Stephen Houser (2014-2016). In Beijing she played in the Phoenix Quartet (2013). In her childhood she and her sisters performed as the Kwan quartet, playing at weddings and events.
... played in an experimental band called
The Social Insects during college (2008).
... began studying
PIANO at age 4, with Eun Young Lee and Dr. Bradley Bolen. She began studying
CELLO at age 7, through UT-Austin's String Project program, and with Betsy Sanders.
ILLUSTRATION
... draws
CARICATURES,
PHOTOREALISTIC PORTRAITS, and has been tapped for
ILLUSTRATION of album covers, logos, posters, and more.
ARCHITECTURE
... received a Bachelor's degree in
ARCHITECTURE from Rice University in Houston, Texas (May 2010). The 6-year program included a year-long internship with
Skidmore Owings & Merrill (2008 - 2009) and a semester abroad in Paris, France (Fall 2009).
... worked / freelanced for
Spatial Practice,
Vector Architects, and
Büro Ole Scheeren in Beijing, China (2010-2013). She was especially valued for her representational media skills, including
RENDERING,
DRAWING, and
MODELMAKING.
FABRICATION
... combines her background in design with
WOODWORKING skills from violin making to hand-make tools and furniture for herself, and gifts for others.
... completed a course and NIMS certification in
CNC MACHINING and
QUALITY ASSURANCE at
Symbol Training Institute (Aug 2014). She worked part time manufacturing and inspecting high-end transmission parts for
Andrews Products (May 2014 - October 2014).
... developed an interest in
LUTHERIE during architecture school, when her studio built mandolins under the guidance of
Stephen Marchione. She then built a bass guitar on her own accord. (2007)
Last updated: Apr 2018
