Bergrún Snæbjörnsdóttir and Bára Gísladóttir Composers in Residence
Bára Gísladóttir is an Icelandic composer and double bassist based in Copenhagen where she studies composition at the advanced postgraduate program at the Royal Danish Academy of Music under the guidance of Jeppe Just Christensen and Niels Rosing-Schow. Prior to this she studied with Gabriele Manca at the Milan Conservatory and at The Iceland Academy of Arts under the guidance of Hróðmar I. Sigurbjörnsson and Þuríður Jónsdóttir.
Her music has been performed by ensembles and orchestras like The Danish National Symphony Orchestra, The Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Duo Harpverk, Elektra Ensemble, Ensemble Adapter, Ensemble InterContemporain, Esbjerg Ensemble, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, loadbang, Motocontrario, Mimitabu, NJYD, Riot Ensemble, Siggi String Quartet and TAK Ensemble. Bára´s pieces have been selected for festivals such as Dark Music Days, Darmstädter Ferienkurse, International Rostrum of Composers, KLANG Festival, ManiFeste Ircam Academy, Nordic Music Days and Ung Nordisk Musik. In 2018, Bára received the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize.
Bára has released three albums; Different Rooftops, in 2015, containing pieces for voice, tenor saxophone, double bass and electronics, B R I M S L Ó Ð, in 2016, a piece in three movements for double bass and electronics, and Mass for some in 2017, for double bass, voice and electronics.
Bára is an active performer and regularly plays her own music. In addition to this, she is the double bassist of Elja Ensemble and Skark Ensemble. She has also performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and S.L.Á.T.U.R.
Bára is a member of the Swedish-Icelandic composers’ collective Errata, along with Finnur Karlsson, Halldór Smárason, Haukur Þór Harðarson and Petter Ekman. The collective aims to provide a platform for young composers to present themselves and their art as widely as possible, as well as promoting new and innovative ways in composition and distribution.
Bergrún Snæbjörnsdóttir Bergrún is an Icelandic composer, performer and sound artist based in Brooklyn, NY/Reykjavík, Iceland.
Her work has been performed widely by groups such as the Oslo Philharmonic (NO), Decibel (AUS), Iceland Symphony Orchestra (IS), Scenatet (DK), International Contemporary Ensemble ICE (US), Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (FI) and featured in festivals like Only Connect (NO), Tectonics Music Festival Glasgow/Reykjavík, SPOR Festival (DK), Nordic Music Days (IS,SE), Ultima Festival (NO), KLANG Festival (DK), World New Music Days (CN), Norður og Niður Festival (IS) and more.
As a performer she has a diverse background, having in the past toured and recorded with acts like Sigur Rós and Björk as well as being a performer of experimental music. She is also a member of composers' collective S.L.Á.T.U.R. (Artistically Obtrusive Composers Around Reykjavík).
Bergrún holds a master's degree (2017) in composition from Mills College where she studied with Roscoe Mitchell, Pauline Oliveros, Fred Frith, Zeena Parkins and James Fei, as well having completed a bachelor’s degree in new media composition (2014) and B.mus in horn (2011) from the Iceland Academy of the Arts.
Her music has been performed by ensembles and orchestras like The Danish National Symphony Orchestra, The Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Duo Harpverk, Elektra Ensemble, Ensemble Adapter, Ensemble InterContemporain, Esbjerg Ensemble, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, loadbang, Motocontrario, Mimitabu, NJYD, Riot Ensemble, Siggi String Quartet and TAK Ensemble. Bára´s pieces have been selected for festivals such as Dark Music Days, Darmstädter Ferienkurse, International Rostrum of Composers, KLANG Festival, ManiFeste Ircam Academy, Nordic Music Days and Ung Nordisk Musik. In 2018, Bára received the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize.
Bára has released three albums; Different Rooftops, in 2015, containing pieces for voice, tenor saxophone, double bass and electronics, B R I M S L Ó Ð, in 2016, a piece in three movements for double bass and electronics, and Mass for some in 2017, for double bass, voice and electronics.
Bára is an active performer and regularly plays her own music. In addition to this, she is the double bassist of Elja Ensemble and Skark Ensemble. She has also performed with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and S.L.Á.T.U.R.
Bára is a member of the Swedish-Icelandic composers’ collective Errata, along with Finnur Karlsson, Halldór Smárason, Haukur Þór Harðarson and Petter Ekman. The collective aims to provide a platform for young composers to present themselves and their art as widely as possible, as well as promoting new and innovative ways in composition and distribution.
Bergrún Snæbjörnsdóttir Bergrún is an Icelandic composer, performer and sound artist based in Brooklyn, NY/Reykjavík, Iceland.
Her work has been performed widely by groups such as the Oslo Philharmonic (NO), Decibel (AUS), Iceland Symphony Orchestra (IS), Scenatet (DK), International Contemporary Ensemble ICE (US), Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (FI) and featured in festivals like Only Connect (NO), Tectonics Music Festival Glasgow/Reykjavík, SPOR Festival (DK), Nordic Music Days (IS,SE), Ultima Festival (NO), KLANG Festival (DK), World New Music Days (CN), Norður og Niður Festival (IS) and more.
As a performer she has a diverse background, having in the past toured and recorded with acts like Sigur Rós and Björk as well as being a performer of experimental music. She is also a member of composers' collective S.L.Á.T.U.R. (Artistically Obtrusive Composers Around Reykjavík).
Bergrún holds a master's degree (2017) in composition from Mills College where she studied with Roscoe Mitchell, Pauline Oliveros, Fred Frith, Zeena Parkins and James Fei, as well having completed a bachelor’s degree in new media composition (2014) and B.mus in horn (2011) from the Iceland Academy of the Arts.