Alexandra Gardner
:: composer

photo by Mitch Eaton

biography

Composer Alexandra Gardner is stirring up modern music circles with her innovative 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 festivals and venues throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, including performances at the Aspen Music Festival, Akiyoshidae International Art Village, MATA Festival of New Music, Centro de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, CrossSound Music Festival, Look and Listen Festival, Conservatory of Amsterdam, The Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center. Her music has been performed by ensembles and musicians such as Percussions de Barcelona, SOLI Chamber Ensemble, bass clarinetist Harry Sparnaay, saxophonist Brian Sacawa, Contemporary Music Forum, pianist Kathleen Supové and Ne(x)tworks.

Current projects include new works commissioned by the Seattle Chamber Players, the NYC-based ensemble FIREWORKS, and a duet for saxophone and guitar commissioned by Duo Cuypers/Lop.

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.

Gardner holds degrees from Vassar College and The Peabody Conservatory of Music. Her teachers have included Annea Lockwood, Ronald Caltabiano, Morton Subotnick, Augusta Read Thomas, Bernard Rands, John Harbison, Pauline Oliveros and Chen Yi.

Also active as an audio producer, Gardner provides digital audio production, consulting and training services for both organizations and individuals. She currently resides in Washington, DC.