Musician and dancer Kay Zin is the ICORN resident in Horten

Kay Zin is a musician and dancer from Myanmar. She holds a BA in music from the National University of Culture and Art Yangon and plays several instruments.

Since graduating from university, Kay Zin has been performing professionally as a musician, primarily playing the oboe at the Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra. While primarily performing classical music during her time at the orchestra, Kay Zin also performed traditional songs from Myanmar.

From 2015 until February 2021, Kay Zin performed at various national events, including state ceremonies, the Myanmar Academy Awards, ASEAN Gala events, and concerts of well-known singers.

In 2023, Kay Zin took up a new instrument, the saung, a traditional harp from Myanmar which is often accompanied by a traditional percussion instrument, typically a drum or a bamboo clapper. Kay Zin performed on the harp at a concert held in Thailand and aimed at raising funding for refugees.

In addition to being a musician, Kay Zin also performs traditional dance from Myanmar alongside her husband who is also a professional performer.

Following the military junta’s takeover of Myanmar in 2021, Kay Zin left for Thailand where she lived until her arrival in Horten in 2024.

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Horten: An ICORN City of Refuge

Horten is a town located on the coast of Vestfold County, Norway. It is known for its rich maritime heritage and vibrant cultural scene with several museums, art galleries, and festivals.

In January 2018, Horten Municipality signed the ICORN Membership Agreement and joined the network. The ICORN programme in the town is hosted by Horten Library.

The town has hosted three writers, artists, and journalists in ICORN residencies. In September 2024, Kay Zin, a musician and dancer from Myanmar, arrived in Horten, where she continues her work.

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