Tan Dun

Born in 1957 in Si Mao, China, composer and conductor Tan Dun is one of the most prominent figures in classical music, merging Chinese musical traditions with Western instruments in pieces such as "On Taoism." First learning music through folk songs while growing up in a rice-planting commune, he went on to win international exposure when his string quartet won the Weber Prize in Dresden. His additional honors include the Suntory Music Award, the Grawemeyer Prize, and a 2001 Academy Award for his score of film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Updated 2014