Meet the Composers
We are experiencing and contemplating a rapidly-shifting world, concerned for issues of justice and human safety, and ever more aware of the space between our “outer” and “inner” worlds. Mindful of this context, we have invited composers to write for the project whose experience reveals a voice we want to hear from now.
Leo Blanco (Medford, MA)
Venezuelan-born pianist and composer Leo Blanco has performed around the globe. His compositions pulse with global rhythmic influences; they reflect his South America roots interwoven with European classical traditions. Blanco has frequently presented his fascinating research on African American musical history called “The Sugar Road.” Beside coaching jazz and World music ensembles at Berklee College of Music in Boston, he teaches piano and myriad specialities ranging from South American folkloric music, to advanced rhythmic concepts for keyboardists.
“The thrill of beginning a new piece for specific performers brings ideas, colors and textures that dance in my mind. Gradually the concept becomes more specific and subtly nuanced, and I begin to understand the pace of how it breathes. Once in the hands of the performers, it crystallizes."
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“The thrill of beginning a new piece for specific performers brings ideas, colors and textures that dance in my mind. Gradually the concept becomes more specific and subtly nuanced, and I begin to understand the pace of how it breathes. Once in the hands of the performers, it crystallizes."
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Stratøs (Kalamazoo, MI)
Michigan native Stratøs is a saxophonist, composer, producer, and film photographer whose presence in the modern jazz scene is rapidly growing. His improvisational style is rooted heavily in the subtle melodicism of the cool jazz tradition and extends to the bold, complex nature of the electronic jazz scene.
"I’m so excited to be working with Nancy and Paul! The experimental nature of this collaboration is one that’s absolutely needed during these times, and I’m looking forward to how it turns out!"
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"I’m so excited to be working with Nancy and Paul! The experimental nature of this collaboration is one that’s absolutely needed during these times, and I’m looking forward to how it turns out!"
Website | Instagram
Jennifer Hruska (Arlington, MA)
Along with composing and performing music across a range of genres, Hruska has an extensive background in musical software development and was the senior sound designer on multiple Kurzweil models. She teaches music technology at Berklee College of Music.
“As a composer of acoustic and electronic music, and as a former electronic marimba player, I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of this project. The instrumentation for 2 acoustic marimbas and 2 electronic marimbas opens up so many sonic and musical possibilities and having such consummate musicians and performers as Nancy and Paul premiering these pieces is about as good as it gets.”
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“As a composer of acoustic and electronic music, and as a former electronic marimba player, I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of this project. The instrumentation for 2 acoustic marimbas and 2 electronic marimbas opens up so many sonic and musical possibilities and having such consummate musicians and performers as Nancy and Paul premiering these pieces is about as good as it gets.”
Website
Steve Mackey (Princeton, NJ)
A composer and electric guitarist, Mackey frequently includes vernacular influences in his concert music. Professor of Composition at Princeton University, he is a Grammy-winning composer lauded for his “explosive and ethereal imagination.” (Gramophone)
"I am thrilled to be part of the Threshold project. Nancy and I have collaborated on many things over the past 30 years and anything she takes on is always superbly produced. I’m equally excited about working with Paul whose past performances of my music promise nearly unlimited possibilities for this new work."
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"I am thrilled to be part of the Threshold project. Nancy and I have collaborated on many things over the past 30 years and anything she takes on is always superbly produced. I’m equally excited about working with Paul whose past performances of my music promise nearly unlimited possibilities for this new work."
Website | Instagram | Twitter
Jessica Mays (Denver, CO)
A composer, pianist and singer-songwriter, Mays manages the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composer (YVC) program. Born in Denver, CO, her music has been performed by numerous ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and the Lune Lake ensemble.
"I feel honored and inspired to work on this project with Nancy and Paul and can't wait to dive into the sonic worlds offered by the acoustic marimba combined with the versatile malletSTATION."
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"I feel honored and inspired to work on this project with Nancy and Paul and can't wait to dive into the sonic worlds offered by the acoustic marimba combined with the versatile malletSTATION."
Website | Instagram