Todd Coleman

Todd Coleman is a composer and video artist who works within the contemporary "Classical" concert music tradition, but whose works increasingly defy simple categorizations. Recent compositions have incorporated visual elements of multiple projected layers of digital video interwoven with live performers and immersive surround digital audio, blending studio recording and film scoring techniques with prerecorded electronic music and live sound. Coleman has a strong background in technology and the arts, with many commissions and jobs which blur the boundaries between creative disciplines.

Coleman completed his Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Brigham Young University in 1996, winning a number of awards and commissions for his work. He went on to study composition and double bass performance at the Eastman School of Music on a prestigious Jackno Fellowship, earning his Doctorate in 2002. His composition teachers included Joseph Schwantner, Christopher Rouse, Augusta Read Thomas and David Liptak, and he studied double bass with James VanDemark. During that time he received awards for his orchestral and chamber music as well as several commissioned works.

Coleman is an assistant professor of music at Elon University in North Carolina where he coordinates and teaches courses in the new B.S. in Music Technology degree program. Prior to coming to Elon, Coleman taught at Grinnell College in the Music Department for four years after originally joining the Grinnell staff as a Curricular Technology Specialist in Fine Arts in 2002 at the completion of his doctorate in composition at Eastman.

FAITH & FAMILY
Deeply held convictions about the purpose of this life and the role that families play in God's plan are an important part of Coleman's outlook on life. Some of these beliefs include the sanctity of marriage, the need for faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his Gospel, and the importance of continuing revelation from God. For more information about some of his beliefs, you can visit www.mormon.org.

DIGITAL VIDEO
Through a series of multimedia projects, beginning with his early graduate studies, Coleman has gradually acquired considerable skill and interest in video editing, effects, and animation. These started out as personal or educational projects, but have evolved to become a critical element in his creative work as a composer. This has led Coleman to expand his compositional horizons to encompass not only the auditory component of a work of art, but the visual as well. His preferred tools are Apple's Final Cut Pro, Motion, Shake, and Photoshop.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
In the summer of 2004, Coleman began learning sign language to be able to communicate with deaf members of his local church congregation. He has come to love and appreciate the beauty, richness, and uniqueness of sign language, and continuously works to improve his skills in ASL.

EDUCATION
Teaching and learning are fundamental to human growth and happiness. Through sharing knowledge and experience, as well as making new discoveries or insights, both teacher and student can be edified, enriched, and enabled to conduct one's life in a manner that benefits the individual, family, and society at large.

WEB DESIGN
Coleman began learning web design skills during the early days of the Internet, including HTML authoring and image editing software programs. These skills, in combination with related experience in video and multimedia CD-ROM authoring led to Coleman's position as a Curricular Technology Specialist in Fine Arts at Grinnell College from 2002-2003. During that time, he assisted faculty members at the College in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing a variety of technology-based pedagogical tools including websites, Flash modules, Director projects for CD-ROM and web delivery, multimedia presentation, Podcasts, etc.

LAOTIAN
Coleman's experience with Laotian language and culture began with his call to serve a mission to Minnesota during the early 1990's. He received a two-month "crash course" in reading, writing, and speaking Laotian, followed by 22 months of service teaching (and being taught by) the Lao people of Minnesota. He served most of his mission in the Minneapolis area, but also served for a time in St. Cloud and Warroad. That experience and the people he met have greatly influenced and enriched his life. He continues to keep up his language skills as time allows and to try and maintain contact with the Lao community in whatever area he resides.