Dr. Kim Kuok Ip

A native of Macao, graduated from the University of Salford with a Bachelor of Music (First-Class Honours) and completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition at the same institution. His creative and scholarly work spans composition, music theory, music technology, and music education. During his studies in the United Kingdom, he began collaborating with performers and ensembles, launching an active career in composition, arranging, and screen scoring. His works and arrangements have received premières in Macao, Hong Kong, London, and Manchester, across forces including symphony orchestra, wind orchestra, British-style brass band, percussion, strings, chamber ensembles, choir, contemporary a cappella, and Chinese instrumental ensemble.

Dr Ip collaborates regularly with conductors, performers, composers, and popular artists. Musical partners have included Yip Wing-sie (conductor), Timothy Sun (saxophone), Hugo Loi (saxophone), Dr. Kitty Cheung (violin), Dr. Peggy Lau (piano), Colleen Lee (piano), Jenny Ng (piano), Jacqueline Leung (piano), and Raymond Chan (piano/choral conducting), as well as composers and colleagues such as Ng Cheuk-yin, Joe Lei, and Evonne Lei. In the popular sector he has contributed to projects with Wowkie Zhang, Hins Cheung, and Yoga Lin. Long-term and project-based collaborations include the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Macao Orchestra, Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra, Macao Youth Symphonic Band, Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Encore Percussion Ensemble. In film, documentary, and theatre, he has scored or collaborated with directors and creators including Liu Wing-hong, Popeye Hong, Christina Kuok, Season Lao, and Thomas Lam. In academia and teaching,

Dr Ip served as Assistant Professor at Beijing Normal University–Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) for years, where he taught courses in compositional techniques, screen scoring, and recording production; managed the recording studios and the digital/MIDI laboratory. After returning to Macau, Dr. Ip had taught in Macao Polytechnic University. At 2023 he has been a part-time instructor on the Doctor of Arts (Musicology) programme at the City University of Macau, offering Analytical Studies in Contemporary Compositional Techniques.

Beyond composition and teaching, Dr Ip is active in community and public-culture work. He served as President of the Macao A Cappella Association (2011–2015) and, since 2013, has been Artistic Adviser to the Macao Cheong Hong Chinese Orchestra. He is frequently invited as an adjudicator for music competitions, a workshop leader in composition, and an artistic adviser. His recent research focuses on the applications of artificial intelligence in composition, screen scoring, and music analysis aiming to construct a sustainable knowledge chain and a practical field bridges traditional music education with future music technologies. Additionally, he serves as a music supervisor and teaches beatboxing in the MaCalla vocal team at Moon Chun Memorial College at the University of Macau.

About the Composer