Cait Nishimura

Biography

Cait Nishimura (b. 1991, Canada) is a Canadian composer, musician, and educator.

Ms. Nishimura holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from the the University of Toronto.

Known for writing nature-inspired, programmatic music, Cait has quickly 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 conferences and festivals across North America. 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 setting a positive example for future generations of musicians -- especially those from historically underrepresented groups -- through her creative work, her social media presence, 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.

Works for Winds

Adaptable Music

Alpine Meadow (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Bove) (2020/2021)
Autumn (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2021)
Beneath the Canopy (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
Into the Blue (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)

All Wind Works

Alpine Meadow (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Bove) (2020/2021)
Autumn (2018)
Autumn (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2021)
Awaken (2016)
Beneath the Canopy (2021)
Beneath the Canopy (Flex instrumentation) (2021)
Bloom (2018)
Boreal Pines (2021)
Breath of the Mountains (2023)
Chasing Sunlight (2016)
Echoes of a Northern Lake (2022)
In Dreams (2018)
Into the Blue (2018)
Into the Blue (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
Intrinsic Light (2019)
Lake Superior Suite (2017)
The Nature of Trees (2022)
Night Light (2011/2019)
Origin (Brass Ensemble) (2022)
Origin (Wind Ensemble) (2022)
Ready to Fly (2021)
Reflections (2019)
Sunset Canvas (2008)
The Sweet Sounds of Snowfall (2016)
Wilderness (2021)

Resources

Cait Nishimura website Accessed 24 August 2017
Evans, Shaun. "Autumn." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 12, Compiled and edited by Andrew Trachsel, 341-348. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2021.
The Horizon Leans Forward…, compiled and edited by Erik Kar Jun Leung, GIA Publications, 2021, p. 433.