Nailah Nombeko, a native of Harlem, New York, comes from a musical family. She began playing by ear when she was 3 years old and enrolled in the Preparatory Division of Manhattan School of Music at age 6. She demonstrated talent for composing at an early age. At the age of 5 Ms. Nombeko composed a piece which she later used to audition for the Preparatory Division of the Manhattan School of Music, where she attended until age 18. While a student at MSM her compositions were performed every year. She went on to attend LaGuardia High School (Music and Art) and Mannes College of Music where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as a student in piano performance. She had master classes with Igor Kipnis and Nelly Ben-Or. During her time at Mannes she studied theory and analysis with Carl Schachter and Robert Cuckson. Ms. Nombeko is active as a composer, composing works for a variety of ensembles and choirs, including Ascension Church choir with soloist, Laura Green; and the Orfeo Duo (violin/piano). Her works have been performed at Columbia University, Trinity Church, St. Mary’s, as well as other venues in New York City. She was commissioned by the “What a Neighborhood” series, under the direction of the Orfeo Duo, to compose a work representing the Harlem area where she resides. The work is entitled, “Mount Morris Park Suite.” It infuses elements of African drumming, contemporary jazz and classical music. The work was premiered in September of 2009 at the Ascension Catholic Church and also performed at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. During the spring of 2011 she composed new chamber music for a chamber music workshop led by the Orfeo Duo. In the fall of 2011 soprano soloist Shannon Roberts, from the Chelsea Opera, will perform selections from a song cycle written by Ms. Nombeko to the poetry of William Blake. In February 2012 she will also have some of her works performed at St. Marks in the Bowery. Currently she is working on a joint song cycle to the poetry of Marsha Dale Abrams, which is set to premiere in 2012. Ms. Nombeko is a member of the New York Composers Circle and New York Women Composers.
Nailah Nombeko (isoke), Composer
Biography
Nailah Nombeko, a native of Harlem, New York, comes from a musical family. She began playing by ear when she was 3 years old and enrolled in the Preparatory Division of Manhattan School of Music at age 6. She demonstrated talent for composing at an early age. At the age of 5 Ms. Nombeko composed a piece which she later used to audition for the Preparatory Division of the Manhattan School of Music, where she attended until age 18. While a student at MSM her compositions were performed every year. She went on to attend LaGuardia High School (Music and Art) and Mannes College of Music where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as a student in piano performance. She had master classes with Igor Kipnis and Nelly Ben-Or. During her time at Mannes she studied theory and analysis with Carl Schachter and Robert Cuckson. Ms. Nombeko is active as a composer, composing works for a variety of ensembles and choirs, including Ascension Church choir with soloist, Laura Green; and the Orfeo Duo (violin/piano). Her works have been performed at Columbia University, Trinity Church, St. Mary’s, as well as other venues in New York City. She was commissioned by the “What a Neighborhood” series, under the direction of the Orfeo Duo, to compose a work representing the Harlem area where she resides. The work is entitled, “Mount Morris Park Suite.” It infuses elements of African drumming, contemporary jazz and classical music. The work was premiered in September of 2009 at the Ascension Catholic Church and also performed at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. During the spring of 2011 she composed new chamber music for a chamber music workshop led by the Orfeo Duo. In the fall of 2011 soprano soloist Shannon Roberts, from the Chelsea Opera, will perform selections from a song cycle written by Ms. Nombeko to the poetry of William Blake. In February 2012 she will also have some of her works performed at St. Marks in the Bowery. Currently she is working on a joint song cycle to the poetry of Marsha Dale Abrams, which is set to premiere in 2012. Ms. Nombeko is a member of the New York Composers Circle and New York Women Composers.