Christchurch-based musical director, composer, conductor and arranger Luke Di Somma has been accepted into the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Programme at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Christchurch-based musical director, composer, conductor and arranger Luke Di Somma has been accepted into the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Programme at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.The Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program is a master's degree programme specially designed for the major collaborators in the creation of new musical theatre and opera. Di Somma is only the second New Zealander to be accepted into the course.

Many of Broadway's leading musical theatre professionals regularly tutor at the school, which was started by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The school offers the only specialist musical theatre writing programme in the world.

Di Somma completed his postgraduate study at the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) in Wellington with first class honours. There he studied composition with Michael Norris, John Psathas and Jack Body, and conducting with Kenneth Young. He graduated with his Bachelor of Music from the University of Canterbury, majoring in composition.

His musical direction credits include Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Hair, The Witches of Eastwick (NZ premiere production) and The Fiend, for which he wrote the score.

Di Somma has conducted the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony, NZSO National Youth Orchestra and the NZSM Orchestra in rehearsals and workshops.

He has also written music for stage, film, and museum exhibitions, as well as had work recorded by 175 East, Wellington percussion group Strike, and the NZSM Orchestra.

6/6/07