Role

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Composer  

Genre

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Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Amy Knoles is a renowned percussionist, composer, and educator who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born in 1958 in Los Angeles, California, Knoles grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from an early age. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer, so Knoles was surrounded by music and musicians from the beginning. Knoles began her musical training as a child, studying piano and percussion. She attended the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, California, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in percussion performance. While at CalArts, Knoles studied with renowned percussionists such as John Bergamo and Glen Velez, who helped shape her unique approach to percussion. After graduating from CalArts, Knoles began performing with a variety of ensembles and artists, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Kronos Quartet. She also began composing her own music, which drew on a wide range of influences, including jazz, rock, and world music. One of Knoles' most significant contributions to contemporary classical music has been her work with the percussion ensemble, the California E.A.R. Unit. Knoles was a founding member of the group, which was formed in 1981 and quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and experimental approach to music. The California E.A.R. Unit performed works by some of the most important composers of the 20th century, including John Cage, Morton Feldman, and Steve Reich. Knoles' work with the California E.A.R. Unit helped establish her as one of the leading percussionists of her generation. She was praised for her virtuosic playing and her ability to create complex rhythms and textures using a wide range of percussion instruments. Knoles also became known for her use of electronics in her performances, which allowed her to create new sounds and textures that were not possible with acoustic instruments alone. In addition to her work with the California E.A.R. Unit, Knoles has collaborated with a wide range of artists and ensembles over the years. She has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic, among others. She has also worked with jazz musicians such as Charlie Haden and John Zorn, and with rock musicians such as Mike Watt and Iggy Pop. Knoles has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a musician and composer. In 1995, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to India to study classical Indian music. She has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. One of Knoles' most memorable performances took place in 2001, when she performed Steve Reich's "Drumming" at the Barbican Centre in London. The performance was part of a celebration of Reich's 65th birthday, and Knoles was joined on stage by a group of percussionists from around the world. The performance was hailed as a triumph, and Knoles was praised for her virtuosic playing and her ability to create complex rhythms and textures. Knoles has also been active as an educator, teaching percussion and composition at CalArts and other institutions. She has mentored numerous young musicians over the years, and has helped to shape the careers of many of today's leading percussionists.

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