bio

Alexis C. Lamb (b. 1993) is a composer, percussionist, educator, festival founder, and arts administrator whose work aims to foster natural, historical, and societal relationships. Her music incorporates various media, such as oral histories, field recordings, improvisation, and community input. Lamb’s music has been regarded as “a pleasure in its own right” with “sparkling optimism throughout” (I Care If You Listen).

As a composer, Lamb has collaborated with numerous ensembles and individuals, including Third Coast Percussion, Aizuri Quartet, Opera Omaha, Albany (NY) Symphony, Camilla Tassi, Indiana University Percussion Ensemble, Yale Philharmonia, and the Northern Illinois University World Steelband. As a percussionist, Lamb finds joy in improvising in natural soundscapes, listening to how the natural world responds to her human-made music. Her performance is highly influenced by the philosophies and Deep Listening practices of the late Pauline Oliveros. Lamb was also a performer from 2013-2020 with Arcomusical. As an educator, Lamb’s work runs the gamut from private lessons and curriculum development to clinics and large classes. She is currently a Part-Time Lecturer at Eastern Michigan University, the University Programs Manager at University Musical Society, and she runs her own private studio.

Lamb earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition at the University of Michigan, a Master of Music in Composition at the Yale School of Music, and two Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University. When not working on music, she can be found playing board games with her wife at an overly competitive level, teaching new tricks to her dog and two cats, and fishing in every possible body of water. She is originally from Denver, Colorado, and is currently based in Ypsilanti, Michigan.