componist, Artistic director

Robert Paterson

A “modern-day master” and often the “highlight of the program” (The New York Times), American composer Robert Paterson is well-known for his reverence for nature, his puckish sense of humor, as well as consistent praise from audiences and artists alike. Paterson was named Composer of The Year by the Classical Recording Foundation at Carnegie’s Weill Hall.

Born in 1970, Paterson was raised in Buffalo, New York. He is the son of the distinguished American sculptor and painter couple Eleanor & Tony Paterson. Although visual art was a constant in his life, his first love was percussion, and he discovered a passion for writing, composing his first piece at age thirteen. In the late 1980s, Paterson pioneered the development of a six-mallet marimba technique. He presented the world’s first all-six-mallet marimba recital at the Eastman School of Music in 1993 and released the first-ever album of six-mallet music, Six Mallet Marimba, in 2012 (AMR), to a sold-out crowd at the Rubin Museum in Chelsea, NYC.

composer, Compostition program coordinator

Stephen Cabell

Stephen Cabell is a composer and educator based in Los Angeles. His compositions span various genres, including orchestral, wind ensemble, chamber, vocal, electroacoustic/electronic, and film music. Stephen, originally from Owensboro in western Kentucky, has called a number of regions across the country home, including the Midwest, East Coast, and now West Coast. Drawing inspiration from nature, social causes, and other art forms, and with roots in both classical and popular genres, he has created a powerful and distinctive voice all his own.

Stephen’s music is characterized by organic pacing, unexpected combinations, impactful moments, and a focused, economical approach to musical material. It encompasses a diverse range of moods from stark to sensual, satirical, and sublime, providing listeners with a unique experience. Stephen is a firm believer in the validity of individual interpretation but is happy to share the motivations behind his expression.

composer

Friso van Wijck

Friso van Wijck (1974) is a composer, drummer/percussionist and improvisor based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

His musical approach incorporates multiple genres, always seen through a hyper-expressionistic lens, and ranging from totally rationalized to highly intuitive.

Friso composers for nationally and internationally renowned modern music ensembles, and teaches composition and improvisation at Codarts Rotterdam Conservatory. Next to being prolific composer, he is a very versatile drummer (as leader and side-man) playing modern jazz, improvised music, modern composed music, metal, and everything in between.

composer 

Christian Blaha

Christian Blaha was born on July 20th 1972 in Middelburg, The Netherlands. From the age of six he received piano lessons from both his parents and Gé Audenaert and Leen de Broekert at the Zeeland Musicschool. At the age of twelve—inspired by the frequent study of contemporary work and by listening to pop and movie-soundtracks—he started to experiment with writing his own compositions.

After finishing high school he studied Composition (MA) for which he graduated Cum Laude, Piano and Choral Conducting (MA) at the Tilburg Conservatory with, amongst others, Alexandre Hrisanide (a pupil of Nadia Boulanger) and Paul Komen. He then studied orchestral conducting with Ed Spanjaard in Amsterdam and after extensive research he obtained a PhD-degree from the University of Utrecht.

cello 

Dave Eggar

Dave Eggar’s body of work is consistently greeted with superlatives and rave reviews. It’s a luxury not often enjoyed by an artist who records in diverse genres and performs live in multiple musical categories, seamlessly moving between each, be it Pop, Rock, Jazz, R&B, New Age, World or Classical music. His ability to effortlessly blur the lines between any musical style is truly unique. That’s the magic of Dave Eggar.

A musical prodigy as a child, Dave Eggar began playing the cello and piano at age three. By the age of seven, Dave had performed on Broadway and with the Metropolitan Opera. He debuted at Carnegie Hall at the age of 15. Dave is a graduate of Harvard University and the Julliard School’s Doctoral Program.

Mr. Eggar has appeared worldwide as a solo cellist and pianist. A virtuoso of many musical styles, Dave has performed and recorded with artists in numerous genres including Evanescence, The Who, Michael Brecker, Josh Groban, Coldplay, Beyonce, Pearl Jam, Fall Out Boy, Dave Sanborn, Kathleen Battle, Ray Lamontagne, Roberta Flack, The Spin Doctors, Dianne Reeves, Brandy, Carly Simon, Phil Ramone, Hannah Montana, Duncan Sheik, Sinead O’Connor, Bon Jovi, Manhattan Transfer, Corinne Bailey Ray and many more.