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Composer

 

Katherine Balch is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on October 1, 1991, in New York City. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a composer. Balch began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the viola. Her early exposure to music and her family's musical background played a significant role in shaping her interest in music composition. Balch attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition. During her time at UCLA, she studied under renowned composers such as Ian Krouse, David Lefkowitz, and Paul Chihara. She also had the opportunity to work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the orchestra's Composer Fellowship Program. After completing her undergraduate studies, Balch went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in Composition at Yale University. While at Yale, she studied under Martin Bresnick, Christopher Theofanidis, and Aaron Jay Kernis. Balch's time at Yale was marked by several notable achievements, including winning the 2016 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the 2017 Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Balch's music is characterized by its intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and use of unconventional instruments. Her compositions often explore themes of memory, identity, and the human experience. Some of her most notable works include "Artifacts," "Leafless Trees," and "Chamber Concerto." "Artifacts" is a chamber piece for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano that was commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The piece was inspired by Balch's interest in archaeology and the idea of uncovering artifacts from the past. The music is marked by its use of dissonant harmonies and shifting rhythms, which create a sense of tension and uncertainty. "Leafless Trees" is a solo piano piece that was commissioned by pianist Conor Hanick. The piece was inspired by Balch's experience of walking through a forest in the winter and seeing the trees stripped of their leaves. The music is characterized by its sparse textures and use of extended techniques, such as playing inside the piano. "Chamber Concerto" is a large-scale work for chamber orchestra that was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the concerto form. The music is marked by its use of unconventional instruments, such as the toy piano and the melodica, and its complex rhythms and harmonies. Balch's music has been performed by a variety of ensembles and orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. She has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the 2018-2019 Rome Prize in Music Composition. In addition to her work as a composer, Balch is also an educator and advocate for contemporary classical music. She has taught composition at Yale University and the University of California, San Diego, and has served as a mentor for young composers through programs such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra's Composer Fellowship Program. Overall, Katherine Balch is a talented and innovative composer whose music pushes the boundaries of contemporary classical music.

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