About the Composer
Kirsten Volness is an electro/acoustic composer and pianist whose music is inspired by nature, myth, science, and environmental and sociopolitical issues. She has received commissions from the BMI Foundation, ASCAP/SEAMUS, Hotel Elefant, NOW Ensemble, Transient Canvas, and Experiential Orchestra. She performs with Hotel Elefant and Verdant Vibes, a new music collective she co-founded in 2015. Recipient of the MacColl Johnson and RISCA Fellowships, Kirsten was 2017 composer-in-residence at the Music Mansion creating the First Fridays concert series, and later served on the board as Secretary. She collaborates with Meridian Project on multimedia performances exploring astrophysics, writes and performs operas with homeless advocacy group Tenderloin Opera Company, and is an affiliate artist of Sleeping Weazel. Kirsten earned composition degrees from Universities of Michigan (MM, DMA) and Minnesota (BA) and is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Reed College.