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Evan Kassof
Evan is a composer, conductor, and a recovering physicist. Originally from Florida, he finished his studies in London, first at the Royal Academy of Music (MMus) with Tansy Davies and then at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (MA in Opera Making) with Julian Philips and Laura Bowler.
Though no longer his focus, science plays a major role in much of Evan’s music. His recent TEDxTalk discusses the relationship between science and composition, specifically in regards to his pieces Cosmos 1 and Heat Death. As well as exploring scientific approaches to composition, he is also passionate about developing a coherent musical understanding of the human condition. This has led to a number of works that look to an engage on an emotional level. Working with mezzo soprano and opera activist Tania Holland-Williams, Evan has been able to develop a strong understanding of how audiences respond to contemporary music through the program Davy Jone's Locker. |
In addition to these projects, his deep affection for opera and his grandiose disposition have led to the composition of his second opera: Memoirs of Transformation. After his time at the Academy, he began work on two new operas as part of his 1-year Guildhall Course. The first, called Colony, was commissioned by the Royal Opera House Youth Opera Company, and was premiered at the Linbury Studio Theatre in the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on 30 May, 2015. The second, called Greenland, was written for the Guildhall Opera Program, and was premiered in the Milton Court Studio Theater on 8 July 2015.
As a conductor, Evan has specialized in the premieres of new works, while also studying the core-repertoire. He studied choral conducting with Patrick Russil and orchestral conducting with Paul Brough at the Royal Academy of Music, and orchestral conducting with Tim Redman at the Guildhall School. He has conducted premieres of many works during his time at the University of Florida as a member of the Society of Composers, Inc. as well as the second performance of his Im Salzkammergut. In London, he conducted the premiere of his two-act opera Memoirs of Transformation and the premiere of This Is No Opera by Bofan Ma. He has also conducted recording sessions of his own pieces, and the works of his friends.
Now back in Florida, he again lives in Gainesville where he works for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. For the orchestra, he is the Operations Manager for the brand new 700-seat Reilly Arts Center - a symphonic hall and theatrical space. He also is the assistant conductor of the OSO.
From 2012 to 2014, Evan was generously supported by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation as a 2012 Graduate Arts Award Recipient. He also serves on the JKCF Scholars Association Executive Board as Vice Chair.
