Koko Naing

Koko Naing (Koon) and Htike Aung Kyaw are instructors at Saung Gauk - Burmese & Western Music Classes, in Maymyo, Burma (Myanmar). Both studied the saung gauk (Burmese Harp) at Yangon National University of Arts and Culture under U Win Kyaw, a leading harpist in Myanmar today. They have participated in school outreach activities such as court music competitions, student exchange programs and workshops, and have performed on the saung gauk at traditional ceremonies. In 2020 and 2021, Koon participated as a representative harpist for Myanmar on World Harp Day, for the WHD Organisation. He is planning to pursue an MA in Music Therapy at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Koon and Htike have both worked as assistant teachers in diploma classes at Yangon National University, and currently give online and in-person instruction to local and international students. In 2020, they conducted a free-of-charge community program called Happy Harpies, a Burmese music camp, which was joined by thirteen enthusiastic Burmese youths. They continue to offer the Happy Harpies Program at Saung Gauk. In 2023, they will be introducing Burmese music and culture, while teaching the saung gauk, to children in Maymyo through a three-month summer music and culture camp. The purpose of this program is to encourage children to love and value cultural diversity, especially music, culture and art.