Chaipruck Mekara

Chaipruck Mekara is a native of Chiang Mai, Thailand. After graduating from Payap University, he earned a Master of Music degree, double majoring in Music Composition and Clarinet Performance, from Roosevelt University, where he studied under Dr. Robert Lombardo. In 2003, Mekara received his DMA in Music Composition from Northwestern University, studying with Dr. Stephen Syverud, Dr. William Karlins, and Dr. Jay Allan Yim.

Like many Asian composers who pursued education abroad, Mekara realized the value of his native culture while in a foreign land. His music seeks to blend the aesthetic philosophies of the East with the compositional techniques of the West. His works have been performed by the Thai Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Chiangmai Symphony Orchestra, at the China-ASEAN Music Week (2015), and by various ensembles including the TIMF Ensemble (Korea) and TICF artists-in-residence (Thailand). His compositions have also premiered at the World Choir Games (2012, Cincinnati, OH), the International Trumpet Guild (2011, Minneapolis, MN), the Thailand International Composition Festival, and the Asian Young Musicians' Connection.

Mekara was invited as a conductor and composer in residence for the prestigious China-ASEAN Music Festival from 2015 to 2019, held in Nanning, Quangxi, China. In 2005 Chaipruck founded the Chiangmai Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation- The Chiangmai Philharmonic Orchestra and The Chiangmai Philharmonic Band, where he has been served as the conductor and the music director. In 2016, Mekara co-founded the Chiangmai Ginastera International Music Festival and Competition, assuming the roles of festival director and conductor. He also holds the positions of music director and conductor for both the Chiangmai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chiangmai Philharmonic Band. Additionally, he is an instructor of Music Composition, Clarinet, Saxophone among others at College of Music at Payap University.

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