KYLA ZHAO

Piano, Music Production, Composition Languages: English, Mandarin Education Bachelor of Arts in Composition and Music Production, Shenyang Conservatory of Music Master of Arts in Recording Arts, Shanghai Conservatory of Music Master’s Degree in Music Technology, University of Toronto Faculty of Music Experience 2014 - 2015 Music Director, Chinese music TV show “Sing My Song” Season 1, Season 2 - Shanghai, China 2015 Recording Engineer, Shanghai Concert Hall - Shanghai, China 2021 Music Production Mentor, Covenant House Toronto - Toronto, Ontario 2022 Judge of “Jack Richardson Producer of the Year”, JUNO Awards 2022 - Toronto, Ontario Music Production Mentor of “Equity x Production Mentorship Program”, SOCAN - Toronto, Ontario Song Writer & Music Producer of “Toon Bops” - Disney Channel/ Treehouse TV, Nelvana/Corus Entertainment Inc. - Toronto, Ontario Biography Kyla Zhao is a multi-talented musician with professional training in many aspects of music. She is an experienced teacher who has been teaching piano and music production for over 10 years. Through composing, music producing, recording, mixing, audio engineering and directing, the hands-on industry experience she’s had reflects her enthusiasm for piano in all its modern day applications. Raised as a classical pianist, Kyla developed a passion for the creative aspects of music early on. The fusion of music and technology was an interest that led her towards contemporary styles, both in piano performance and music production. She took the next step to polish her skills further with a BA in Composition and Music Production from Shenyang Conservatory of Music. This opened the door to work on one of China’s most popular music talent shows ‘Sing My Song’, where she participated in music scoring, final judging, interviewing, qualifying of potential contestants, and creating arrangements for the contestants’ chosen songs, including adding her own vocals to harmonize. Shortly afterwards, Kyla was inspired to pursue further study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, achieving an MA in the Recording Arts. An exciting opportunity followed suit; coordinating events and live recording at the Shanghai Concert Hall. The world-class performances Kyla witnessed at this time instilled an even deeper appreciation within her for music and the arts. Compelled to take her passion overseas, Kyla moved to Toronto to complete a Masters in Music Technology at the University of Toronto. She now produces, records and mixes for Pop and R&B artists in her own studio space, and looks forward to sharing her love of music with her students. She believes that in music, one can find meaning and identity- and that with gentle encouragement and support, music can bring lifelong joy and self-expression. Because of the freedom she was given to explore the art form, Kyla doesn’t believe in pushing or pressuring her students. She believes that by going our own way in music, the way it touches our life can be as unique as we are.