The Up:Strike Project embodies the nature of the integral movement in percussion: “up” and “strike”. Founded by two Hong Kong-based percussionists, Karen Yu and Dr. Matthew Lau, the diverse and flexible group welcomes percussionists and musicians from all levels, and consistently engages young and emerging percussionists to work together. By bringing professional and emerging percussionists together, presenting and championing a diverse mix of percussion music, and supporting the future leaders of percussive arts, The Up:Strike Project endeavors to strike and stand out as the pioneer of the ever-changing art form in percussion and contemporary music.
Established in late 2018, The Up:Strike Project regularly curates and presents performances at the Tai Kwun Center for Heritage and Arts, produces concerts with the support of the Hong Kong Arts and Development Council and hosts a festival, MINI:Fest, with a goal to foster dialogues between the community of percussionists.
The co-founders of The Up:Strike Project are leading percussionists who are actively involved in the percussion scenes in Asia and North America, with additional appearances in Australia, Europe, and Latin America. Dr. Matthew Lau is one of the most prominent percussionists in Hong Kong who performs a wide range of repertoire with absolute commitment to communicating the meaning and essence of percussion music to audiences. As a percussionist, experimental sound artist and interdisciplinary arts researcher, co-founder Karen Yu uses sound-making as a medium to question and subvert the relationship between audience and performer. The co-founders have most recently performed in the Transplanted Roots Percussion Research Symposiums, Aspen Music Festival, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, IRCAM Manifeste Academy and Bang On A Can Marathon Concert.
Devoted to bringing changes to the community, The Up:Strike Project seeks to diversify the percussion repertoire with artistic excellence through collaborations with artists and composers, at the same time, embracing the implication of identity in music-making.
