Current Students in Composition
Ball, Erica (2nd year)
balle@sas.upenn.edu
Hailed by music critic Kyle Gann as a "precociously interesting composer", Erica Ball's works have been performed across the country by numerous ensembles, including the Da Capo Chamber Players, Colorado Quartet, and the American Symphony Orchestra. Her string quartet w(e)aving, which was premiered at the Deer Valley Music Festival by the Arneis Quartet, was awarded an honorable mention in ASCAP's Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. In addition to her studies as a composer, Erica remains active as a violinist, pianist, and music educator, with a special interest in bringing contemporary music to new audiences. For more information please visit: http://ericajball.com/
Carlson, Luke (3rd year)
lcarlson@sas.upenn.edu
As I continue to discover and refine my voice, I hope to achieve a synthesis of style and form that is meaningful and relevant in this eclectic age. I strive to write music that portrays tonal materials in a new, unique light by drawing on ideas and techniques of the past and present. In addition to solo, chamber, choral and electronic works, I am particularly interested in writing for orchestra. www.lukecarlsonmusic.com
Chan, Kai Young (1st Year)
chankai@sas.upenn.edu
Chen, Ke-Chia (4th year)
chenk3@sas.upenn.edu
A native of Taiwan, Ke-Chia Chen has participated as a young composer in residence at several music festivals including the Pacific Music Festival, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the Music from Angel Fire Chamber Music Festival. Her compositions have been performed to critical acclaim throughout Taiwan, Japan, and the United States . Her catalogue includes works for orchestra, choir, voice, and a variety of chamber music ensembles.
Dunphy, Melissa (4th year)
mdunphy@sas.upenn.edu
I am particularly interested in composing political vocal music: examples include The
Gonzales Cantata, which was featured twice on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show,
and "What do you think I fought for at Omaha Beach?" a choral work in support of gay marriage performed by Chanticleer in 2012. I've also written a song cycle about scientist Nikola Tesla, "Tesla's Pigeon." Performers of my music include the Simon Carrington Chamber Singers, St. Louis Chamber Choir, Network for New Music, Anti-Social Music, American
Opera Theater, Ensemble Epomeo, and Kennett Symphony and Children's Choir.
I'm currently working on my dissertation: an opera about the sex life of Ayn
Rand, narrated by Alan Greenspan. http://www.melissadunphy.com
McMillan, Michael
(2nd year)
mmcmil@sas.upenn.edu
Michael McMillan is PhD student in composition whose interests include French Impressionism, repetition, puzzles, illusions, and compressing large ideas into miniature sizes. He is also interested in the ways that film and literature can affect compositional style. His academic research has focused on the music of György Ligeti, as well as music by Danish composers. Michael received an MA from Eastman School of Music and a BA from Princeton University, and he is currently a doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ordway, Scott (4th year)
sordway@sas.upenn.edu
My compositional work thus far has resulted in two symphonies and numerous works for solo instruments, voices, and chamber ensembles. I've published on musical structure in the formal designs of James Joyce, and I've appeared as both composer and conductor on public radio in the United States and Europe. Always excited at the prospect of making music with those around me, I've organized more than 20 world premiere performances in the last 2 years, nearly all by composers under the age of 30. Recordings, news, etc. are available at www.scottjordway.com.
Shapiro, Daniel (1st Year)
dshapir@sas.upenn.edu
Solitro, Anthony (4th year)
solitro@sas.upenn.edu
I am a composer of both acoustic and electroacoustic music and have written for diverse ensembles and instrumentations. My catalogue includes compositions for large ensemble, numerous vocal works (opera, art song with piano and other mixed instrumental ensembles, choral), chamber music, fixed and interactive electronic works, and incidental music for theatrical productions. I also study real-time signal processing with MAX/MSP, focusing on spectral analysis and manipulation. To hear recordings, see videos, and to find out about upcoming events, visit www.tonysolitro.com.
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Undergraduate Studies
