"Composer, guitarist, teacher and singer, Nick Vasallo has been heavily involved in music since a teenager. Though he had received no formal music training before the age of 23, he composed and performed music in a variety of styles and platforms. His autodidactic early musical training and first experience in composition began as a teenager playing guitar, singing, and writing songs for Heavy Metal and Punk bands. His academic musical training began in 2003 at California State University East Bay in Hayward where he studied Music Theory, Harmony, Composition, Counterpoint, and Form & Analysis with composers: Frank LaRocca , Jeffrey Miller, and Rafael Hernandez . Vasallo was a prolific composer during his years at Cal State and even composed music for feature length films while writing for the university as well as his band, Antagony .
Vasallo's studies in Western Art Music, Heavy Metal, Film Music, Electronica, and World Music have enabled him to develop a unique voice in today's "classical" music world. His music has garnered several awards; both in the Classical, Film Music and Rock & Roll venues. Notable Awards: Best Release of 2000 Antagony's "Expect the Worst"- KSJS radio 90.5 FM, New Jersey International Film Festival Selection "Sinful" musical score, 2007 CSUEB Student Composers Competition . His music has also been featured on the Television CGI series "Iron Kid", John Lennon's Songwriter's Educational Bus , and various commercials. Vasallo's method of bridging the gaps between serious music and popular music is the element within his music that defines his style. "Eclecticism" is a term Vasallo uses to define his style. He draws upon a variety of influences but finds a way to make them meld naturally." (by P. Stanchek June 2007)
Currently, Nick Vasallo is pursuing his D.M.A. (Doctorate in Musical Arts) at University of California Santa Cruz .
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