Onn San

Onn San       

ONN SAN is an award-winning music composer who graduated with a Masters Degree in musical theatre writing at the New York University, Tisch School of The Arts. He is the first composer from Malaysia to receive the prestigious Dean's Fellowship Award from NYU. Early this year, he was awarded with 2 awards at the Kakiseni's Boh Cameronian Arts Awards for “Best Original Music” & “Best Musical Director” in the musical theater category. His new musical, MARRYING ME was staged at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre & Penang Performing Arts Centre during the entire month of December, 2013. Among his previous prominent works include, EVERWORLD (2012), THE SECRET LIFE OF NORA (2011), MADWORLD (2010), DRUNK BEFORE DAWN THE MUSICAL (2003,2004), THE MEATBALL, EAU BLANCHE! A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY & GREEN TEA - SEASON I & II

In January, 2014, he teamed up with reknown writer/ director Adlin Aman Ramlie to produce new musical for the Royal Arts Gala 2013, which was produced by MYPAA & The National Department of Culture & Arts, Malaysia. The event was to raise funds for the performing arts industry in Malaysia. Dato' Seri Mohamad Nazri, the Minister of Tourism and Culture graced the event.

Onn has also orchestrated music for other productions abroad such as, KING DAVID (Off-Broadway), where The New York Times commented on Onn's orchestrations as "...lushly orchestrated", while Backstage, NY says it was "...seductively lilting." He then orchestrated a regional production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TEACHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. The musical was staged at The Miracle Theater, Tennessee starring American Idol finalist, Melinda Doolittle. His other involvement in theatre include music directing Mel Brook's The Producers (PAN Production) 2013 & Ruby Moon (KLPAC) 2012. 

Besides theater, Onn San also writes for film & TV commercials. Among his film works include: SUATU MALAM KUBUR BERASAP 2 (2014), THE HARVESTER (2013) & JARUM HALUS (2008). He also scored 2 short films, THE CUSTOMER (2009) and MAYBE IT'S YOU (2010) directed by Indie-film director, Khaliun Jargalsaikhan from Mongolia. Among his other scoring works include HEALING THE CHILDREN, a documentary narrated by the late Lynn Redgrave; INSIDE THE BLUE BOX - a feature documentary for Tiffany & Co. and WHO ARE THE CHINESE? Onn San is also an avid composer for many TV commercials local and abroad for brands such as Maxis, Hotlink, Dettol, KFC, Carlsberg, Strepsils, Fernleaf, Celcom and many more.

His debut album, "EPOMANIA - an epic soundtrack by Onn San" was launched in September 2011 and is now available on iTunes.

Onn was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he now resides with his family. He is an active member of the Music Authors' Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP) as well as the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP). His favorite food is spaghetti and he loves to travel.