Du Yun is a multifaceted Chinese-born composer, performer, and performance artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries. Born in Shanghai, Du Yun received her early music education in China before moving to the United States to further her studies at Oberlin Conservatory and at Harvard University, where she earned her PhD. As a modern-day renaissance artist, she is known for her innovative and avant-garde compositional style, which incorporates a variety of influences ranging from classical to pop, electronic music to opera.

Du Yun's music often addresses social issues and reflects her commitment to artistic exploration and cultural dialogue. Her piece "Angel's Bone," which blends opera with punk rock, won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2017, showcasing her unique capacity to create works that are both edgy and accessible. Among her recent works, "A Cockroach's Tarantella" emerges as an intriguing melding of musical textures, whereas "Dinosaur Scar" reveals her penchant for blending the ancient with the modern. With "Shark In You," she continues to push the boundaries of classical and contemporary music, proving her status as a bold and visionary artist in the world of 21st-century music. Her contributions to the field not only continue to captivate audiences but also inspire other musicians and composers in the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary music.