Ken Luk
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ken Luk is an active performer, educator, arranger of classical guitar and mandolin based in Rochester, New York. Ken joined the Eastman Gamelan Ensemble in Spring 2008, and became the teacher of ECMS Gamelan Ensemble (Gamelan Lila Muni) in 2015. Apart from performing as part of the annual Barbara Smith World Music Series, Ken has led the ECMS Gamelan Ensemble to perform around Rochester (Memorial Art Gallery, Strong Museum of Play, the Central Library, SUNY Geneseo, etc.).
Prior to his studies in the guitar, Ken studied the classical violin for 12 years, which laid the foundation of his mandolin studies. Ken plays the bandolim (Brazilian mandolin) with Rosa Boemia, a trio specializes in Brazilian choro. Ken also cofounded the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra in February 2019 and organizes meetings for mandolinists and guitarists of the Greater Rochester Area.
In addition to teaching at the Eastman Community Music School, Ken teaches guitar and mandolin at State University of New York in Geneseo and Alfred University, and regularly coaches the gamelan ensemble at State University of New York in Fredonia. Ken has taught music theory at the Eastman School of Music and State University of New York in Fredonia. Ken received his Doctor of Musical Arts in classical guitar with Professor Nicholas Goluses at the Eastman School of Music where he also earned a master’s degree in music theory pedagogy. Apart from classical music and Balinese gamelan, Ken has strong interests in and actively performs music of Brazil, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe.
Ken Luk teaches a variety of courses, lessons, and workshops at ECMS including:
– Gamelan Ensemble
– Private lessons in mandolin
– Summer Mandolin Workshop
– Beginner Mandolin Workshop
– Adventure Music Camp (ukulele and gamelan)