Composer Alexandra Gardner is stirring up modern music circles with her innovative blend of instrumental and electronic music. She combines explorations into the rich details of acoustic sound with a visceral percussive energy to create dynamic sonic landscapes of shifting rhythms and unfolding harmonies. Drawing inspiration from sources ranging from mythology and contemporary poetry to her training as a percussionist, Gardner is building new audiences for contemporary music with an expressive sound and a flair for the imaginative and unexpected.
Gardner’s compositions have been featured at venues throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, including performances at the Aspen Music Festival, Akiyoshidae International Art Village, Centro de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Joyce SOHO, Dance Place, Metronóm, The Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center. Her music has been championed by such performers as Percussions de Barcelona, SOLI Chamber Ensemble, bass clarinetist Harry Sparnaay, saxophonist Brian Sacawa, Verge Ensemble, pianist Kathleen Supove and Ne(x)tworks.
A native of Washington, DC, Gardner studied music composition at Vassar College, the California Institute of the Arts, and The Peabody Conservatory of Music.
Among Gardner’s honors and awards are recognitions and commissions from Meet the Composer, ASCAP, The American Music Center, American Composers Forum, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the Maryland State Arts Council, Vassar College, and The Netherland-America Foundation, the Open Meadows Foundation, the Prix Ton Bruynel and the Smithsonian Institution. She has been a composer-in-residence at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Harvestworks Digital Media Arts Center, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and The MacDowell Colony. From 2002-2004 she was a Visiting Composer at the IUA/Phonos Foundation in Barcelona, Spain. In 2006 Innova Recordings released Gardner’s CD Luminoso, a series of six compositions for solo instrument with electronics.
For more information visit www.alexandragardner.net
Or visit Alexandra’s blog, Building Noises !