UCI Arts Alumna Guo Ningru Named Programme Leader at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore

M.F.A. Sound Design graduate brings world-class training to one of Southeast Asia's leading arts institutions

Guo Ningru, a 2019 Master of Fine Arts graduate in sound design from the UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Drama, has been appointed programme leader of the diploma in audio production at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore. LASALLE is one of Asia's premier arts and design institutions. 

“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be stepping into the role of programme leader and be given the chance to write the next chapter for LASALLE and for Singapore,” shared Ningru. “I will forever be indebted to UCI and my mentors, like Mike Hooker and Vinnie Oliveri, for playing such a radical role in shaping my thinking and professionalism. What I gained from UCI was not just the formal education from a very solid curriculum, but also the peers and mentors who have now become my lifelong friends.”

Ningru's path to this leadership role builds on more than a decade of distinguished work in sound design and performing arts audio. She was first introduced to sound design as a student in LASALLE's diploma in technical theatre arts programme, and after graduating, went on to contribute to the sound design of musicals, plays and performances throughout Singapore. In 2016, she was awarded the National Arts Scholarship by Singapore's National Arts Council, which supported her graduate studies at UC Irvine. Her M.F.A. thesis, Going Immersive: The Case for Spatial Audio Systems in Theatre Sound Design, explored spatial audio technologies and their applications in live performance. This type of research has since been brought to Ningru’s productions, including All The World's A Sea for The Theatre Practice and works by T.H.E. Dance Company. In 2022, she received the National Arts Council's Young Artist Award in recognition of her contributions to the local and international arts scene.

To learn more about Ningru's work and her new role at LASALLE, visit her faculty profile at lasalle.edu.sg.