Role

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Composer  

Birth

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1974

 

Jessica Meyer is a renowned violist, composer, and educator who has made a significant impact on the classical music scene. Born in 1974 in Connecticut, Meyer grew up in a musical family and began playing the viola at the age of nine. She went on to study at the Juilliard School, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance. After completing her studies, Meyer began performing with various orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the American Symphony Orchestra. She also became a member of the contemporary music ensemble Alarm Will Sound, with whom she has performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. In addition to her work as a performer, Meyer has also established herself as a composer. Her compositions have been performed by numerous ensembles, including the American Composers Orchestra, the Cassatt String Quartet, and the JACK Quartet. Her music has been described as "passionate and imaginative" and has been praised for its "emotional depth and technical brilliance." One of Meyer's most notable compositions is her solo viola piece, "Get Into the Now." The piece, which was commissioned by the Sphinx Organization, is a meditation on the present moment and has been performed by Meyer at numerous venues across the United States. Meyer has also been recognized for her work as an educator. She has taught at institutions such as the Juilliard School, the Mannes School of Music, and the New York Summer Music Festival. She has also given masterclasses and workshops at universities and music schools throughout the United States. Throughout her career, Meyer has received numerous awards and honors. In 2003, she was awarded the Juilliard School's Peter Mennin Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music. In 2014, she was named a Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient, an award that recognizes outstanding classical musicians of color. In 2019, she was awarded a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Meyer's performances and compositions have been praised by critics and audiences alike. The New York Times has described her playing as "riveting" and "soulful," while the Washington Post has called her music "powerful" and "evocative." Meyer's contributions to the classical music world have made her a respected and influential figure in the field.

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