Biography

CHASE JORDAN is a Colorado-based composer and violist whose music has been described as “an engaging musical narrative” (Arcadia Winds, 2018). In this way, he likens himself to a musical storyteller – using music to create emotional arcs which brings the audience with the musicians on the journey – whether the inspiration is literary or from the natural world. He is passionate about developing narrative arcs through collaborative works and frequently creates with choreographers, dancers, and writers. Chase holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Wyoming and a Master’s of Music Degree in Viola Performance and Music Composition from the Hartt School.

An internationally performed composer, Jordan’s music has been performed across North America and Europe, including at the Pärnu Contemporary Music Days (Estonia), the East Chamber Music Festival (Toronto, ON), the International Conference for Saxophone Pedagogy and Performance, the New York Viola Society, The Walden School (NH), Charlotte New Music Festival (NC), and Tidewater Brass Festival (VA). Recent performances of Chase’s compositions include performances by the Haven Trio, SHHH!!! Ensemble, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, the Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Antero Winds, Duo Zonda, and by members of the International Contemporary Ensemble and Dal Niente Ensembles.

Jordan is a frequent advocate for and commissioner of contemporary music, having commissioned Evan Anderson’s (forgotten) for viola & electronics and Hannah Rice’s Fusion for Solo Viola. In addition Chase has premiered works by Daniel Bernard Roumain (Why did they Kill Sandra Bland; An Apology for Black Women), Caleb Walker (i think i can move on now…), Joe Hayes (there have been days), and Asia Meirovich (bud).

As a composer, Jordan has studied music composition with Anne Guzzo, Armando Bayolo, Juhi Bansal, Gilda Lyons, and Ken Steen. In addition, Chase has worked with composers such as Lei Lang, Libby Larsen, Jake Heggie, Daron Hagen, Gilda Lyons, and Marti Epstein, among others. As a violist, Chase has studied with with Rita Porfiris, James Przygocki, and Ann Roggen.

From 2016-2020, Jordan maintained a small studio of young violin and viola students through the University of Wyoming String Project, where he also taught advanced chamber music and conducted the High Plains Sinfonia. Prior teaching engagements have included being faculty for the ViolaFest West in Laramie, WY in 2016-2018 and as staff for the University of Wyoming Summer Music Camp in 2017 and 2018. Since then, Chase has continued to be active in music education, working with students in the Hartt Community division on a volunteer basis and writing educational music to enrich their music education with contemporary performance practices.

When he isn’t playing music, you can find Chase finding renewed inspiration in the vast wilderness, where he encounters some of his best ideas. His adventures have led him to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, the Uinta Mountains in Utah, the Wind River Range in Wyoming, and on a 100-mile circumnavigation of Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. He also works as an author, managing editor, and wilderness guide at Backpacking Light magazine, where he writes reviews as well as investigates outdoor ethics, philosophy, and contemplates his expanding theories regarding the intrinsic value of wilderness, many of which intersect with and influence his artistry.