John Newell

Pianist and composer, John Newell, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended Duke University, pursuing studies in composition, piano and conducting. He also studied at the Yale Summer School of Music in Norfolk, Connecticut. John earned an M.F.A. from California Institute of the Arts; his primary teachers there were pianist Leonid Hambro and composer Mel Powell. John completed his formal training at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he studied with Morton Feldman. While in Buffalo he held the first Edgard Varese Fellowship in composition, and received his Ph.D in 1979. He was active as a performer with the June in Buffalo program, working directly with composers such as Steve Reich and George Crumb.

As a teacher John has worked successfully with students and musicians of all ages and ability levels. He is experienced in collaborating with performers to create and present new works. John has participated in a number of premiere performances, including the solo part in his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. He was the founding director of Quoddy Voices, a community choral ensemble in Eastport, Maine.

John has received commissions from professional ensembles around the country as well as a variety of amateur groups. His work has received support from the American Music Center, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Meet the Composer. More information about his works is available at johnnewellmusic.com. He and his wife Linda now divide their time between down east Maine and western Massachusetts. 

Instruction Dates:
June 16-20

June 23-27

June 30-July 4