Jonathan Anderson

Associate Professor, Composition and Theory

2345 Old Main

313-577-9692

Jonathan Anderson

Biography

Writing for a variety of music for traditional acoustic ensembles such as orchestra, band, and chamber groups, as well as less traditional ensembles involving interactive computer music, Anderson frequently incorporates physical movement and dance as structural elements. With awards and honors from institutions such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, SCI/ASCAP, and the Pierre Schaefer International Competition of Computer Music, his works have been commissioned and performed by orchestras, ensembles, and soloists throughout the world. Anderson teaches music theory and composition at Wayne State University and is the resident composer for the modern dance company Take Root Dance. Jon Anderson’s music has been described as “haunting,” mixing "electronic beats” with a “cocky melange of aggression and tongue-in-cheek humor.”

Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Anderson holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition from the University of North Texas (2010); the Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2000), and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Luther College (1998).

Upcoming Performances/Events:

"Steady"
Austin Ventures Studio Theater, Ballet Austin
Austin Dance Festival (Austin, TX)
April 3-5, 2025

"Hammer & Nail"
Alma College

Various works. Take Root Dance 10th Anniversary.
Varner Hall, Oakland University. (Rochester, MI).
March 7-8, 2025.

"My Mother" for film
RADFest Dance Festival.
Kalamzoo, MI. Feb 28, 2025.

"Hammer & Nail"
University of Michigan, Dance Performance Studio Theatre (Ann Arbor, MI)
Feb 14, 2025

"Knowing One Without the Other"
White Wave Solo/Duo festival
Dixon Place (Brooklyn, NY)
Feb 14, 2025

"Audience of One"
Faculty Electroacoustic Concert
Schaver Recital Hall, Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
Jan 31, 2025

"Audience of One", "Stories we Tell Ourselves"
Electronics for Palestine concert stream, Radio alHara
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025

"Hammer & Nail"
Jim & Eileen Heeringa Dance Wing Studio, Hope College (Holland, MI)
Friday Jan 24, 2025

"Stories we Tell Ourselves", "Steady", "First of the Lasts", "Babel"
Shirley Wimmer Dance Theater, Ohio University (Athens, OH)
Jan 17-18, 2025

"Stories We Tell Ourselves"
Cleveland Dance Fest, Ariel LaSalle Theater (Cleveland, OH)
Nov 23, 2024

"Stories we Tell Ourselves", "Audience of One"
Electronics for Palenstine concert
Outer Limits Lounge (Hamtramck, MI)
September 29, 2024

"Stories we Tell Ourselves", "Steady", "Audience of One", "
YMCA Boll Theatre (Detroit, MI)
Sep 20, 2024

"Hammer & Nail"
Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
Heredia Province, Heredia, Costa Rica
July 25-27, 2024

"Hammer & Nail"
Celebration of Life
Roseville, CA
July 12-13, 2024

Courses Taught

MUT 1200/1210/2200/2210 Beginning Composition 1-4

MUT 2160 Theory IV

MUT 3200/3210 Intermediate Composition 1-2

MUT 4100/4110 Advanced Composition 1-2

MUT 5280 Interactive Electronic Music

MUT 5800 Advanced Orchestration

MUT 5997 Analytic Techniques

Soundcloud Tracks

https://soundcloud.com/andersonjon

Courses taught by Jonathan Anderson

Fall Term 2025 (future)

Winter Term 2025

Fall Term 2024

Winter Term 2024

Fall Term 2023

Winter Term 2023

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