Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

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in San Francisco, CA

 

Nick Vasallo is a contemporary classical music composer, guitarist, and vocalist. He was born on August 18, 1980, in San Francisco, California. Vasallo grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. He began playing the guitar at the age of 12 and started composing music soon after. Vasallo attended San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in classical guitar performance. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of California, Santa Cruz. During his time at UC Santa Cruz, Vasallo studied with renowned composers David Cope and Hi Kyung Kim. Vasallo's music is heavily influenced by heavy metal and progressive rock, as well as classical music. He has described his style as "classical music for metalheads." His compositions often feature complex rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and unconventional instrumentation. One of Vasallo's early works is his guitar concerto, "The Burning." The piece was commissioned by the San Francisco State University Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2003. "The Burning" features a solo guitar part that is heavily influenced by heavy metal music, with fast, intricate passages and heavy distortion. The orchestra provides a contrasting backdrop of lush harmonies and sweeping melodies. In 2005, Vasallo composed "The Wait of the World," a piece for string quartet and electronics. The work was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, and explores themes of grief, loss, and hope. The piece features haunting melodies and dissonant harmonies, as well as electronic sounds that add an otherworldly quality to the music. Vasallo's most ambitious work to date is his opera, "The Rise of Mallory," which premiered in 2013. The opera tells the story of Mallory, a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. The music is a blend of classical, metal, and electronic styles, with soaring vocal lines and intricate instrumental passages. The opera also features a multimedia component, with video projections and lighting effects that enhance the dramatic impact of the music. In addition to his work as a composer, Vasallo is also an accomplished guitarist and vocalist. He has performed with several metal bands, including Antagony and Oblivion. His guitar playing is characterized by fast, technical playing and a heavy, distorted sound. As a vocalist, Vasallo has a powerful, operatic voice that is well-suited to his dramatic compositions. Vasallo's music has been performed by several prominent ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony, the Kronos Quartet, and the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the San Francisco State University Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition to his work as a composer, Vasallo is also a professor of music at California State University, Sacramento. He teaches courses in music theory, composition, and guitar performance, and is known for his innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success. Overall, Nick Vasallo is a talented and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His music is characterized by its blend of classical, metal, and electronic styles, as well as its complex rhythms and dissonant harmonies.

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