Hailed as a “gifted newcomer” by the Riverside Symphony, Nicolas Chuaqui composes visceral and emotive music that is characterized by its sense of musical direction, attention to color, and economy of means. Spanning instrumental, vocal, and electroacoustic genres, Chuaqui’s music has been heard on four continents at venues that include Alice Tully Hall, the Universidad Nacional de Rosario (Argentina), the Diffrazioni Multimedia Festival (Italy), and Madihol University (Thailand). He has received awards that include the Khorikos ORTUS International New Music Prize and commissions from organizations that include New Voices Opera and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Whether he is sketching an orchestral work or recording material for an electroacoustic piece, Chuaqui is a committed collaborator. With a background in performance (voice, piano, and conducting), Chuaqui creates his music from the performer’s perspective, crafting enjoyable and meaningful performer experiences that resonate with listeners. In the words of Les Roka (Utah Review), in Lake Flight , commissioned by pianist Jason Hardink, Chuaqui “allows the pianist to paint a full masterpiece that makes the listener feel, hear, and visualize [the Great Salt Lake].” Chuaqui’s music has been performed by a variety of ensembles and individuals that includes the Arditti Quartet, the Oregon Symphony, Indiana University’s NOTUS (Contemporary Vocal Ensemble), clarinetist Ford Fourqurean, the acapella group The Dartmouth Aires, and others.
As Assistant Professor of Composition and Electronic Music and Director of the Electroacoustic Studios at Ithaca College, Chuaqui is dedicated to the mentorship of composers. He has given lectures on his music at Reed College, the University of the South, and LaGuardia High School of the Arts, and on arts entrepreneurship at the University of Utah. Originally from Salt Lake City, Dr. Chuaqui received his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. Based in Ithaca, he is active in the Greater New York City music scene, having founded the presenting organization Become New Music as administrator and performer. His music is self-published and is available at nicolaschuaqui.com.