That rare composer whose music manages to be instantly listenable and emotionally resonant without any compromise to its sophistication. —Textura
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Described by Textura as “that rare composer whose music manages to be instantly listenable and emotionally resonant without any compromise to its sophistication,” Jennifer Bellor is a versatile composer whose music draws on a variety of influences. Her compositional style, marked by a fusion of influences drawn from imagery, literature, and personal experiences, showcases a melodic richness underscored by jazz and pop-infused harmonies.
Bellor’s music has been presented widely throughout the U.S. and abroad and has four acclaimed albums to her name. Her debut album Stay (2016), a melting pot of different music styles largely based on poetry, was featured on NewMusicBox’s 2016 Staff Picks, which praised the record for its ability to “maintain a highly individual identity without needing to take refuge in pre-post-genre musical silos.” The magazine lauded the first track, “Chase the Stars,” not only for its “dazzling eclecticism” combining opera, hip hop, and jazz, but also for Bellor’s singing. The composition was awarded The American Prize (2016) in the orchestral category. Reflections at Dusk (Innova Recordings, 2019), showcases instrumental music inspired by the Nevada sunsets; Jazz Weekly described it has having “evocative musical images.” Bellor’s collaboration with the percussion quartet Clocks in Motion culminated in the release of her album Oneira (Aerocade Music, 2022). Her music was hailed by Textura as “rousing and infectious,” characterized by a distinct expressive signature transcending traditional genre boundaries. The title track, Oneira, served as the soundtrack to an animation created by Christine Banna. The music video was featured on I Care if You Listen, and it received screenings at multiple film festivals.
Her newest album, Long These Days, was released on August 16, 2024 by EMITHA’s prestigious label, Lexicon Classics. She is featured as the composer, pianist, and producer. Collaborating with soprano Olivia Yokers, bassist Norman Espinoza, and electric guitarist Tasos Peltekis, the concept album comprises art songs and instrumental interludes. Within a month after its release, tracks Echo and Postlude: Resurgence were featured on Marvin Rosen’s Classical Discoveries radio program and her music video for the title track was featured on Textura. Textural praised the work as being a “sophisticated composition of integrity and craft,” and “a standalone work of multi-hued design, a tapestry in its truest sense.”
In addition to the release of her album, Bellor was one of the resident composers who served on the faculty at the International Alba Music Composition program in May 2024, where she taught lessons, gave a presentation on her recording project, and heard her composition A Grey Dream performed by the Soli Chamber Ensemble. Bellor is joining the faculty at the Mostly Modern Festival in summer 2025.
A native of northern NY, Bellor holds degrees from Eastman School of Music (PhD), Syracuse University (MM), and Cornell University (BA). She is Assistant Professor of Music Composition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she is Artistic Director of the contemporary music series, Nextet. In addition to music, she maintains an active lifestyle of running and fitness and enjoys embarking on new adventures and pushing her comfort zone. Some adventures include skydiving for the first time (2011), scuba diving in Fiji (2022), and running races. For more information, visit www.jenniferbellor.com.
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Jennifer Bellor, hailed by Textura as a composer of remarkable versatility, draws inspiration from diverse sources, crafting emotionally resonant works infused with melodic richness and jazz-pop harmonies. Her music has been presented widely throughout the U.S. and abroad and has three acclaimed albums to her name. Stay (2016), celebrated for its eclectic blend of musical styles rooted in poetry, received accolades from NewMusicBox, earning a spot on their 2016 Staff Picks list. Following Stay, Bellor’s release, Reflections at Dusk (Innova Recordings, 2019), showcases introspective instrumental compositions inspired by Nevada sunsets. It was dubbed by Jazz Weekly as possessing “evocative musical imagery,”
Bellor’s collaboration with the percussion quartet Clocks in Motion culminated in the release of her album Oneira (Aerocade Music, 2022). Her music was hailed by Textura as “rousing and infectious,” characterized by a distinct expressive signature transcending traditional genre boundaries. The piece, also titled Oneira, served as the soundtrack to an animation created by Christine Banna. The music video was featured on I Care if You Listen, and it received screenings at multiple film festivals.
In anticipation of her forthcoming album, Long These Days, slated for release on August 16, 2024, through EMITHA’s prestigious label, Lexicon Classics, Bellor continues to push artistic boundaries. Collaborating with soprano Olivia Yokers, bass singer Norman Espinoza, and electric guitarist Tasos Peltekis, the album promises a captivating journey from dawn to night. Inspired by the timeless poetry of Christina Rossetti and Pablo Neruda, the album’s thematic depth is enriched by instrumental interludes crafted by Bellor on piano and Peltekis’ improvisations on electric guitar.
Bellor holds degrees from Eastman School of Music (PhD), Syracuse University (MM), and Cornell University (BA) and serves as Assistant Professor of Music Composition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
SHORT BIO
Described by Textura as “that rare composer whose music manages to be instantly listenable and emotionally resonant without any compromise to its sophistication,” Jennifer Bellor is a versatile composer whose music draws on a variety of influences. Her compositional style, marked by a fusion of influences drawn from imagery, literature, and personal experiences, showcases a melodic richness underscored by jazz and pop-infused harmonies.
Bellor’s music has been presented widely throughout the U.S. and abroad and has four acclaimed albums to her name: Stay (2016), featured on NewMusicBox’s 2016 Staff Picks and praised for its ability to “maintain a highly individual identity without needing to take refuge in pre-post-genre musical silos;” Reflections at Dusk (Innova Recordings, 2019); Oneira (Aerocade Music, 2022), featured on I Care if You Listen and hailed by Textura as “rousing and infectious;” and Long These Days (2024, Lexicon Classics), where Bellor is featured as the composer, pianist, and producer. Textura praised the work as being a “sophisticated composition of integrity and craft,” and “a standalone work of multi-hued design, a tapestry in its truest sense.”
Bellor served on the composition faculty at the International Alba Music Composition program in May 2024 and is joining the faculty at the Mostly Modern Festival in summer 2025.
A native of northern NY, Bellor holds degrees from Eastman School of Music (PhD), Syracuse University (MM), and Cornell University (BA). She is Assistant Professor of Music Composition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition to music, she maintains an active lifestyle of running and fitness and enjoys embarking on new adventures, such as skydiving (2011), scuba diving in Fiji (2022), and running races.
For more information, visit www.jenniferbellor.com.