Cait Nishimura

Composer, educator

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Contact — music@caitnishimura.com

Bio

Cait Nishimura (she/her) is a Japanese Canadian composer based in Waterloo, Ontario. Known for writing nature-inspired, programmatic music, Cait has established herself as a prominent voice in the concert band community. Cait’s music has been presented at The Midwest Clinic, MusicFest Canada, and numerous other international conferences and festivals. Her work has become increasingly popular among educational music programs and within the professional new music scene, with new works being regularly commissioned and performed by ensembles and individuals around the world.

Cait is committed to creating contemporary music that is approachable, relevant, and enjoyable for all; before transitioning to a full-time career as a composer, she taught instrumental music and continues to prioritize and advocate for the value of music education. She actively seeks opportunities to connect personally with the communities for whom she writes, and she is passionate about empowering others through art. She strives to set a positive example for future generations of musicians– especially those from historically underrepresented groups– through her creative work and her dedication to mental health awareness. As a lifelong environmentalist, she not only draws inspiration from the natural world but also uses her platform to advocate for conservation awareness and action. 

Cait was the winner of the Canadian Band Association’s composition prize in 2017 and is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre. She holds degrees in music and education from the University of Toronto, but is an advocate of people pursuing their passions regardless of their field of study. All works are self-published under Cait Nishimura Music.

List of Works

All works are self-published under Cait Nishimura Music and are available for purchase on Cait’s website [https://caitnishimura.com]. A full list of works with recordings and perusal scores is available here.


Selected Works for Wind Ensemble

Echoes of a Northern Lake (2022) - concert band (10mins)

  • Commissioned by the Canadian Band Association and the Ontario Band Association with support from a 60-member consortium to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the National Youth Band of Canada

Origin (2022) - concert band (2mins)

  • Commissioned by Dr. Jeff Reynolds for the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble

Wilderness (2021) - concert band (5mins)

  • Commissioned by The Midwest Clinic in celebration of their 75th anniversary

Boreal Pines (2021) - concert band (4mins)

  • Commissioned by Ecole McTavish High School (Fort McMurray, AB) to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire

Intrinsic Light (2019) - concert band (6mins)

  • Commissioned by the Ontario Band Association and a 40-member consortium in celebration of the Ontario Music Educators Association's 100th anniversary

Chasing Sunlight (2016) - concert band (3mins)

  • Winner of the 2017 Canadian Band Association Composition Competition (now known as the Howard Cable Memorial Prize in Composition)