Jay Hamilton's Profile

Perhaps the most important thing about me is that I really enjoy working with beginning students in the instruments that I teach. Starting from scratch is a pleasure so if you or your child is hesitant about expectations from a teacher please be assured that I am very interested in how you think and what you are able/willing to try to do.

I studied music composition at Fairhaven College on the campus of Western Washington University with Americole Biasini and Dr. E. LaBounty. I have attended the workshops of Kenneth Gaburo, David Mahler, Meredith Monk, and Pauline Oliveros. I studied piano for 6 years, Doublebass for 13 years, voice with Roger Nelson and Tomasa Eckert for 4+ years, and composition with Janice Giteck for 7+ years.
I began composing at the age of 9 and have written over 200 works, most of which have had public performances. They include, operas, dance/ballet pieces, and incidental music for the theatre.
Since 1973 I have been active as a composer/performer. I have worked primarily with instruments of my own design and construction, using just intonation for the basic tuning. In 1982 I formed the Quixotic String Ensemble with adults who had little musical experience, I trained them to read music and perform on my instruments. They performed regularly throughout the Northwest until 1989. From 1983-87 I was a member of, and a composer for, Gamelan Pacifica a group using instruments based on the instruments of an Indonesian orchestra.
In 1984 I was recipient of an and/or 'Support to Individual Artists' grant to build a keyed hammered dulcimer the onaip. In 1987 I received a Soundwork commission for Performa '87 Zahhak for piano, clarinet, and cello, performed by members of Cornish's New Performance Group. In 1994 I received a Jack Straw Artist Support Grant for a piece using urban sounds and acoustic instruments/voices, which resulted in The 12th*.
Other works;
The 13th; a piano concerto for urban sounds and various instruments. No Tongue*, an opera for audience participation written and performed with Ed Mast. Tragicall wedding, life, and death of Mathew, Margarete, and Son*, a one man opera with piano, guitar, and ycrix. Mandala a chamber orchestra piece for 10 instruments. Tao for various chamber ensemble configurations. Cass/Andra; baseball, food and prophecy*, a chamber opera for soprano, tenor, baritone, flute,cello, toypiano and guitar [performed in the spring of 2002]. Blood: An opera* for Tenor, Soprano and speaker using electronics in place of orchestral instruments though fully scored for Orchestra and ethnic instruments [performed September of 2005, ]. Dead Man's Piano; a tale with music* for two singers, acoustic, electric and classical guitars, ukulele, jews harps, clackamore, frog and acoustic bass. [performed May 2006/January 2007].
Much of my work involves audience participation and the use of non- traditional objects in traditional compositions.
I have given workshops in; instrument discovery/ construction/instruction, vocal work for actors, taught music to the deaf, and worked with/teach preschoolers to adults (using materials developed by MMCP [and others]) learning music, musical skills and expressions in my studio in the Leschi/Mt. Baker area.
[*=have received public performances]

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