Kirsten
Volness
contact
|
|
2005–2008 |
Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition (DMA)—University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
| Composition studies: Evan Chambers (2007–08), Bright Sheng (2006–07), William Bolcom (2005–2006) | |
| Graduate Student Instructor in Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Electronic Music Composition | |
| Dissertation: Tree of Life for string quartet and stereo digital sound |
|
|
2003–2004 |
Master of Music in Composition (MM)—University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
| Composition studies: Karen Tanaka (2004), Michael Daugherty (2004), Betsy Jolas (2003) | |
| Electronic music studies: Erik Santos (2004), Evan Chambers (2003–04) | |
| Piano studies: Christopher Harding (2004), Phillip Bush (2003–04) | |
| Thesis: Triskelion for orchestra | |
|
1999–2002 |
Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA)—University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - with an emphasis in theory/composition, Summa Cum Laude |
| Composition studies: Judith Lang Zaimont (2001–02), Alex Lubet (2001) | |
| Electronic music studies: Christopher Hopkins (2000) | |
| Piano studies: Beatrice Ohanessian (2000–01), Paul Shaw (1999–2000) | |
| Thesis: String Quartet No. 1 | |
|
1998–1999 |
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA |
| Piano studies: Duane Hulbert | |
|
| 2022 New Music USA Creator Development Fund Grant |
| 2021 OPERA America New Works Featured Presentation Grant (The American Opera Project) |
| 2020 OPERA America Discovery Grant for Women |
| 2019 Dorry Award for Classical/Opera Performance of the Year (Verdant Vibes) |
| 2018 Dorry Award for Ensemble of the Year (Verdant Vibes) |
| 2018 Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition |
| 2017 MacColl Johnson Fellowship |
| 2016 Dorry Award for Performance of the Year (Verdant Vibes) |
| 2015, 2016, 2017 Individual Project Grants from Rhode Island State Council on the Arts in support of Verdant Vibes |
| 2014 Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition |
| 2014 Individual Project Grant from Rhode Island State Council on the Arts in support of Meridian Project |
| 2011 MacColl Johnson Fellowship in Music Composition, Finalist / Honorable Mention |
| 2011 Music In Architecture-Architecture in Music Symposium, University of Texas at Austin – 2nd Prize |
| 2011 Composer Assistance Program grant from the American Music Center (New Music USA) |
| 2010 Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition |
| 2007 BMI Women's Music Commission |
| 2007 ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commission Competition – 2nd Prize |
| Regents Fellowship, University of Michigan School of Music/Rackham Graduate School (2005-08) |
| Phi Beta Kappa (2001) |
|
| 2004–present | Private piano and composition teacher |
| 2024–present | Adjunct Music Faculty, Portland State University, Portland, OR |
| 2022–present | Instructor, Music Theory/Composition, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Portland, OR |
| Spring 2023 | Instructor, Music Composition, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR |
| 2019–2022 | Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Reed College, Portland, OR |
| Summer 2018+19 | Composition faculty, Boston Conservatory/Berklee's High School Summer Composition Intensive, Boston, MA |
| 2012–2019 | Adjunct Faculty in Music Composition, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI Courses: Composition lessons (MUS110V–510V), Music of the Modern Era (MUS434/571), Electroacoustic Music Composition (MUS421/571), Orchestration (MUS417/571), Music Theory I, III+IV (MUS120, 225, 227), Ear Training and Sight Singing II, III+IV (MUS122, 226, 228), Class Piano II–IV (MUS172, 271, 272); coordinator of 2017+18 New Music Festival and 2019 Contemporary Arts Festival. |
| Spring 2011 | Private composition teacher through Bennington College’s Field Work Term Independent Study program, advising a senior thesis and recital |
| Nov 2009 | Visiting composer/guest lecturer for introductory composition: Brown University, Providence, RI |
| 2006–08 | Graduate Student Instructor in Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Electronic Music Composition, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
| Summer 2007 | Teaching Assistant - Music Theory/Electronic Music - Interlochen Arts Camp |
| 2006 & 2007 | Composer-in-Residence, Burns Park Elementary School (Ann Arbor, MI) |
| Fifth grade music composition projects and concert | |
| 2001 | Teaching Assistant, University of Minnesota, Introductory Composition |
| 2000–01 | Percussion Instructor, Elk River High School, Elk River, MN |
| 1997–98 | Percussion Instructor, Cannon Falls High School, Cannon Falls, MN |
|
| 2015–present | Co-Director and Pianist+, Verdant Vibes |
| 2010–present | Co-Music Director, Tenderloin Opera Company, a houseless advocacy group |
| 2008–present | Concert, Audio and Lighting Production: The Murder Cabaret, The Tank, NY ; Multimedia Menagerie, Providence, RI; Tableau à Go Go, The Tank; BNMI concert series; Verdant Vibes, Awesome Collective, and Meridian Project performances |
| 2018–19 | Secretary, Board of Directors, Friends of the Music Mansion |
| 2017 | Composer-in-Residence, Music Mansion: curation and production of First Fridays concert series, rebranding and website design for venue, increased community engagement |
| 2013–2015 | Multi-instrumentalist and Composer, Meridian Project |
| 2011–18 | Pianist, Multi-instrumentalist, Hotel Elefant |
| 2010–16 | Board of Directors (2010–2016), Director of Outreach (2012–13), Director of Publicity and Marketing (2010–12), The Boston New Music Initiative, Inc. |
| 2015–18 | Judge, 2018+19 SEAMUS Conferences; 2017 International Computer Music Conference; 2017 SCI National Conference; 2017 MTNA/MMTA Composition Competition; 2016 SCI/ASCAP Student Commission Competition; 2016 SEAMUS/ASCAP Student Commission Competition |
| 2011–15 | Panelist, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Music Composition Fellowship Review; Investment in Arts and Culture Music Grants Review; Individual Project Grants Review |
| 2007–08 | Committee Member, Electronic Music Studio renovation project, University of Michigan |
| 2002 | Student Representative, Composition Faculty Member Search Committee, University of Minnesota |
| 1998–2002 | Composer/Arranger, Minnesota Percussion
Association member ensembles, Elk River High School
Marching Band, Deer River High School musical |
|
home | music | bio |events | press | teaching | contact | shop