ADJ•ective New Music •

Quick Facts

• Hometown:

• Current Location: Albany, NY

• Performing Rights Organization: ASCAP

Education

• Ohio University
   (M.M. in Conducting)

• Ohio University
   (M.M. in Music Composition)
​
• ​State University of New York at Fredonia (B.M. Music Composition)

Biographical Profile

Mickie Wadsworth, a conductor, vocalist, and composer based in Upstate New York, has had their work featured at various conferences and festivals. These include SEAMUS, EMM, NYCEMF, SCI National (online), SCI Region V, Research on Contemporary Composition, SheScores, Manchester New Music Festival, Ball State New Music Fest, Napoleon Electronic Media Festival, and Boneyfiddle Fringe Festival. They have also participated in several workshops and summer programs such as, SPLICE Institute (2024, 2023, 2022), Quince Institute (2023) , N.E.O. Voice Festival (2021), and Art Song Lab (2020).

Mickie is an advocate for new music and frequently performs both their own compositions and works by their colleagues. They studied voice with Julie Newell during their undergraduate degree. Before college they studied privately with Margaret Lampasi for 5 years. During college they received several lead and supporting roles in SUNY Fredonia's annual 'Opera Scenes' productions. They have a strong background in choral singing, being a former member of the Queensbury High School Madrigal Singers, and Chamber Choir (SUNY Fredonia's Premiere, award winning choral ensemble). During their undergraduate study they also participated in SUNY Fredonia's Masterworks Chorus, where they performed larger works with the college orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic. 

Mickie has had a long history with piano dating back to 2nd grade! Mickie began their musical journey on piano, learning the instrument at an advanced level with private lessons until the end of high school. At the end of high school they performed a large variety of classical, romantic, and contemporary repertoire. Before going off to college, Mickie had already begun teaching piano to beginning students. During their collegiate study, although their primary instrument was voice, they kept a close relationship with piano. Mickie spends much of their day at the piano...composing! Mickie often accompanies themselves as they write both contemporary repertoire, and popular music songs. They have spent almost everyday with the piano for the last 19 years of their life, and are excited to share what they've learned with others.

Mickie earned their Master's degree in Music Composition and Conducting at Ohio University, under the guidance of Dr. Robert McClure and Dr. William Talley. Their Bachelor of Music degree in music composition was obtained from SUNY Fredonia, where they studied with Prof. Jamie Leigh Sampson and Dr. Andrew Martin Smith.

One of Mickie's greatest passions (outside of creating cool musical sounds of course) is teaching. They believe in creating an environment of respect and understanding for all of their students. They teach voice, piano, beginning guitar, general music lessons, music theory, composition and/or song writing. Mickie is a multi-faceted musician and has had the privilege of having two advanced instrument domains outside of composition (voice and piano). Mickie believes in tailoring curriculum to meet the individual student, as every student learns differently. Because of their vast background they are able to take bits and pieces from everything to give their students a holistic approach that not only helps them learn their instrument, but also makes them a better musician. They believe that teaching students how to build strong practicing habits, and the courage to overcome obstacles, is crucial to helping them succeed. Mickie also wants to make it incredibly clear that composition is an INSTRUMENT. Yes you heard that right! An Instrument! It is something that you can learn, and requires diligent practice, just like anything else. So if you've always wanted to write music but haven't known where to start, it is an instrument you can learn, and something I'd love to help you learn and grow in. 

Outside of being a composer, Mickie's greatest life achievement is becoming an Adirondack 46er in the summer of 2021. An Adirondack 46er is someone who has hiked 46 of the highest peaks in the Adirondack park. Their second greatest life achievement was adopting their energetic, lovable, and food obsessed tuxedo cat Norma. Picture of Norma featured below.