Htet Arkar grew up in a fine arts environment with his father and mother, where he became familiar with music and the arts. His father, U Hla Myint, is a retired traditional musician from the Ministry of Culture and a Chauk Lone Pat player. His mother, Shwe Mann Thu Kyawt Kyawt Mu, was a well-known Anyeint dancer in Mandalay and the niece of the legendary dancer Alinkar Kyaw Swar Shwe Man Tin Maung.
In 2000, Htet Arkar began his musical journey by participating in the National Competition of Myanmar Traditional Cultural Arts and Performances, where he played the Myanmar Pattala (Bamboo Xylophone). During the 2000s, he gained recognition for his Hsaing Waing performances, winning 21 gold medals at various levels of the competition. He learned Myanmar’s traditional music from various masters.
In 2009, Htet Arkar started his university life, majoring in Mechanical Engineering at West Yangon Technological University (WYTU). He also obtained a B.Sc. in Physics, an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist certification (OSHA, USA), a Business Management Higher Diploma, and a Diploma in English (SEAMEO). In 2016, he enrolled at the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon) for his first music certificate, a Post Graduate Diploma of Arts (Music), specializing in Hsaing Waing. He later pursued a Master of Arts specializing in Music at NUAC (Yangon) and is currently a Master's degree candidate.
As a musician and music director, Htet Arkar has performed at national events, on broadcasting channels, and in live concerts. He has managed significant events, such as the ‘Golden Jubilee of Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)’ and the ‘Worldwide Saya Pu Zaw Pwe of RIT 2016’.
He has collaborated on Myanmar music albums with local artists, including:
"Ar Lu, Thar Kuu, Nhar Buu, Gan Duu" electro-music album by Thxa Soe
"Yarzawin Khayee Thel" by Ko Koe Mhan Thar
"Yote Sone Let Yar" by Ayoe
"Pachi Kar Lay" by Myat Thu Soe
"Kha Yay" Myanmar Songs Album by Sandaya Aung Kyaw Myo
"Thagyan" Song with Nay Min Eain
In 2018, Htet Arkar and DJ Noixsmith co-created and produced LOKAPALA, an EDM music project incorporating Myanmar traditional instruments. He also worked with Professor Academy Diramore, playing Pat Waing in his Gitagabyar Orchestra, and began composing film scores for movies such as Oo Bar Dan and Pyone Shwin Yay Pyaw Yae Lar starting in 2017. Since 2018, he has worked closely with his friend, Music Director Lin Htet, on successful Myanmar films, including Mone Swal. Recently, he produced and performed collaborative music for the special performance MAHAR with well-known DJ producers Double U, DVKE, EMJ, and AotAw at the Myanmar Premium Countdown 2019 live concert.
Htet Arkar began his career in music education in 2018 as a Myanmar music instructor and lecturer at ILBC International School and Music For One (INGO). He has also shared his knowledge and lectured on Myanmar music at Bansomdajchaopraya Rajabhat University (Thailand) and Gaungxi Arts Institute (Nanning, China). His international collaborations include participation in various festivals such as:
International Symposium PGVIM (Thailand)
ASEAN Youth Ensemble (AYE)
International Folk Cultural Festival
ASEAN Green And Peace Forever
Southeast Asian Music Directors of Music (SEADOM)
Southeast Asia Music Education Exchange (SEAMEX)
Virtual Concert ‘Conversations from Afar’ by Myanmar Music Society
In 2020, Htet Arkar delivered a public talk at TEDx Yangon titled ‘Youth and Myanmar Music’, marking the first time a young musician publicly spoke about Myanmar music and Hsaing to the younger generation. He has been selected as a young music leader of ASEAN for the SEADOM 2030 Project. He also collaborated virtually in the Sound of Harmony concert with the Korean fusion music band Ensemble SU.
Recently, Htet Arkar managed and arranged performances for Myanmar’s representatives at the World Expo 2020 Dubai as an art director and music director. He is a young entrepreneur, a traditional musician, and an advocate for promoting Myanmar traditional music on the global stage.