Like the bards of old, Ishmael Wallace finds in song a pathway to the world of Tradition — the golden world from which we spring; as composer, pianist, tenor, and teacher, offers insight and inspiration.
His Substack, Castalia, is devoted to poetry and song;
he tutors music theory online.
For Ishmael’s books on music as a path (most recently, “Finding the Root: Music as a Key to Tradition”), please see: https://www.amazon.com/author/ishmaelwallace
He was home schooled, and majored in piano and composition at the Curtis Institute (Diploma, Composition, 1993) and Mannes College (Master of Music, Composition and Piano, 1995). He performed and recorded with the Orfeo Duo, and, for 15 years, co-directed What a Neighborhood!, a series of concerts and workshops in New York City; he also taught at Mannes and coordinated two concert series at Columbia University. In 2018, he moved to Thailand, where he has taught as Guest Lecturer at Mahidol College of Music and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music.
Diploma, Composition, 1993, The Curtis Institute of Music
Master of Music, Composition and Piano, Mannes College of Music, 1995
Composer
Composer 1984 — Present: works include four chamber operas, three cantatas, and song cycles, performed in New York City, and five works for orchestra, performed by the Curtis Orchestra
Composer in Residence of Castalia 2019 — Present: I compose songs, piano pieces, and episodes of Sophia, an opera in progress, to record for subscribers to my weekly letter, Castalia
Composer in Residence and Co-Director of What a Neighborhood!, 2003 – 2018 (concert series, New York City); taught Composition in workshops and composed works for performance
Teachers: Robert Cuckson, David Loeb, Steven Stucky
Pianist
Solo Pianist, 1984 — Present: performances across North America, including many works by living composers; recordings include From Ancient Times and Places, a solo CD of music by David Loeb, for Vienna Modern Masters
Collaborative Pianist, 1984 — Present: performances with string, wind, and brass players at venues including Curtis Hall, the Yellow Barn and Kneisel Hall festivals, Weill Recital Hall, What a Neighborhood!, and Mahidol University
Pianist in residence of Castalia 2019 — Present: I record piano pieces, and accompany myself in song, for subscribers to my weekly letter, Castalia
Pianist of the Orfeo Duo (with Vita Wallace, violinist), 1984 — 2018: concerts across the Americas and in Europe; recordings include the complete Sonatas of Beethoven and Schumann and works by Enesco, Bruno Walter, Hans Pfitzner, and David Loeb
Co-Founder, Co-Director, and Pianist of What a Neighborhood! (concert series, New York City), 2003 — 2018: performed a wide variety of solo and chamber music, including many works by emerging composers
Vocal Coach, 2008 — 2018: in addition to private opera coaching, acted as Music Director for opera companies in New York City and environs
Teachers: Richard Goode, Seymour Lipkin, Phiroze Mehta; lessons with Edward Aldwell, Carl Schachter, Mieczslaw Horszowski, Gary Graffman; chamber music coaching with Felix Galimir, Lorand Fenyves, Karen Tuttle, Syoko Aki
Tenor
Tenor 2009 — Present: I have given art song recitals in New York City and Bangkok, accompanying myself at the piano
Tenor in Residence of Castalia 2019 — Present: I record traditional, folk, and art songs, and episodes of Sophia, an original opera in progress, to share with subscribers to my weekly letter, Castalia
Teacher
Private Tutor Online in Music Theory 2020 — Present
Guest Lecturer in Keyboard Skills, Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, 2019 — Present
Guest Lecturer in Sight Singing, Mahidol College of Music, 2018 — 2019
Instructor, Keyboard Harmony and Score Reading, Mannes College, 2014 — 2016
Instructor, Composition Workshops for beginning composers of all ages and backgrounds, What a Neighborhood!, New York City, 2005 — 2018
Private Teacher of Piano, Composition, Counterpoint, Ear Training, New York City 1995 — 2018
Contact me
ishmael.wallace@gmail.com
(66) 096.282.1428
My free newsletter: http://ishmaelwallace.substack.com
Ishmael Wallace 