National Yontararak

Background

National was born in Bangkok and studied at Bangkok Christian College.

Education

Foreign college, he attended Chulalongkorn University, and graduated with a degree from the Faculty of Architecture.

Career

He started learning piano at the age of nine and became a student of Pantipa Treepoonpol. He continued with music for his graduate studies, attending Goldsmiths College in London. He also received a grant from His (or Her) Highness Princess Sudasiri Sobha.

He returned to Thailand in 1983 and set up his own studio and music school.

In addition to teaching and composing, he regularly gives concerts, both in Thailand and abroad. Among his works is the piano sonata, "Glory to Our Great Kings", which was presented at the United Nations as part of the commemoration of the 50th session of the United Nations General Assembly in October 1995.

He was given the Silpathorn Award for Thai contemporary artists in 2006. National Yontararak married Wongdeaun Indharavud (Pa-Wongdeaun Yontararak), who performed the leading role in Vichit Kounavudhi"s 1978 drama - First Wife (Mia Luang) and Suwat Woradilok"s 1979 film - Son of the Slave (Look Thas).

Wongdeaun Indharavud is the great-granddaughter of Chao Keo Naovarat, the last king of Lanna.

Achievements

• He won the first prize in the first Siam Music Festival in 1971 when he was 16. He won a scholarship and a British Council support grant for further study in Piano Performance at the University of Reading.