About

Jessica T. Carter (b. 1992) is a composer, violinist, mezzo-soprano, voice coach, and educator from Indiana described as evocative and lyrical by Aspire Magazine who is swiftly making a name for herself. Specializing in concert music, film scoring, and musical theatre, Jessica's aim and goal in as a composer is to exude the message of hope and freedom to all but specifically to marginalized children.

In both 2018 and 2019, Jessica Carter was the recipient of the Craig and Carol Kapson Bicentennial Scholarship in Music through Indiana University South Bend. In 2020, she was the winner of the Indiana University South Bend Symphonic Composition Competition with the work, "Rancor and Triumph", Concerto for cello and orchestra. In the same year, Jessica was published for her ground-breaking research entitled, "Concert Music of the Civil Rights Movement: Uncovering the Erasure of Black American Composers in the United States." Additionally, Jessica has completed three full-length musicals and one chamber opera. Beyond composition, Jessica is an active performer and music director, as well as a theatrical voice coach and stage technician. 

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Jessica has both attended and worked the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, the Atlantic Music Festival, and the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival. She has been commissioned by several organizations such as Crossing Borders Music, Castle Of Our Skins, and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Jessica has worked with several renown composers and ensembles such as Marilyn Shrude, David Ludwig, and Billy Childs as well as Trio Fibonacci and the Euclid Quartet. Jessica holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Music from Bethel University and a Master's of Music in Music Composition under the tutelage of Dr. Jorge Muniz from Indiana University South Bend.

Education

• Master of Music in Music Composition

• Candidate for Artist's Diploma in Violin and Vocal Performance

  • Indiana University South Bend, 2017-2019

• Bachelor of Arts in Music

  • Bethel University, Mishawaka Indiana, 2014-2016

  • Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2010-2012

Principal Instruction

• Music Composition

  • Jorge Muniz, D.M.A​., Robert Rhein, D.M.A.

• Violin Performance 

  • Brendan Shea, D.M.A.​, Jae Sung Lee, M.M.

• Vocal Performance

  • Emanuel-Cristian Caraman, D.M.A., Victoria Garrett, M.M.​

Awards and Recognitions

• Craig and Carol Kapson Bicentennial Scholarship in Music, IU South Bend, 2018; 2019

• Music Talent Scholarship, IU South Bend, 2017; 2018

• Excellence in Music, Bethel University, 2016

• Best Contributing Artist, Earl Award Nominee, 2015; 2016

Professional Affiliations

• BMI, 2018 - Present 

• Society of Composers, Inc, 2017 - Present