BIOGRAPHY

Jarrad Powell’s compositions have been performed and broadcast internationally and include pieces for voice, gamelan, various western and non-western instruments, electro-acoustic music, music for theater, dance and experimental film. His work also includes numerous cross-cultural collaborations, particularly with Indonesian artists, including the innovative theater pieces Visible Religion and Kali. Since the early 80’s he has directed the group Gamelan Pacifica, one of the most active and adventurous gamelan ensembles in the U.S. He is Music Director and composer for Scott/Powell Performance, a contemporary dance company formed in 1994 with noted choreographer Mary Sheldon Scott. Their most recent work is HOME, which had its world premiere at the Erickson Theater in Seattle, May 20-23, 2010. Recent work inlcudes Geography, a National Performance Network Creation Fund Project, co-commissioned by the Myrna Loy Center/Helena Presents in partnership with On the Boards and the National Performance Network. Recent projects also include music for three innovative short films of Robert Campbell, Tilt, Eidolon and Delta of C¹⁶H²²O⁴. Powell's work has been commissioned by The Walker Arts Center, Performing Arts Chicago, On the Boards, Music in Motion, Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Myrna Loy Center/Helena Presents, the National Performance Network and many individual performers. He has received numerous grants and awards, including NEA, Arts International, Rockefeller Foundation, Paul Allen Family Foundation, 4Culture/King County, The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs/Seattle, Artist Trust Foundation and Creative Capital Foundation. He holds a BA in English and Religious Studies from Rocky Mountain College, a BFA in Music from Cornish College of the Arts, and an MA in Music Composition from Mills College, where he received the Paul M. Henry award for excellence in music composition. His most recent recordings, Natural Selection and Stonehouse Songs are available from Present Sounds Recordings. He is currently a professor in the Music Department at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.