Natalie is a composer-performer who writes pieces for open-ensemble, chamber groups, solo instruments, and fixed media. Her main focus of composition is story telling, timbre, and exploring philosophical questions posed by situations in music.
Her composition began during her undergraduate degree under the mentorship of Dr. Anne Lanzilotti, who was also her viola professor. She composed mainly for herself and the UNCOmmon Ensemble. She has had her works premiered at international music and arts festivals. Her string trio was premiered at the Montecito International Music Festival in 2019 and her fixed media pieces have been performed at Arts Letters and Numbers in 2018.
Tales from Fujian
"Tales From Fujian" has been a a journey to discover myself both as a person and as an artist. My family has been a source of inspiration and support for all my life. The track has become something personal to me over the course of summer 2018. I was able to sit down with my grandfather and mother to record a story that has been in my family and a deep part of my grandfather's identity. My grandfather is a hero to my family and I wanted learn about what made him the man he is today. The track is meant to capture the story as it is passed from generation to generation.
credits
released August 15, 2018
Natalie Stepaniak, artist and composer
Tucker Johnson, album art
Saovaluk Sima-Aree and Chatchawan Sima-Aree, voice recordings
The Tea Shop Sessions
The journey began when a mentor of mine encouraged the viola studio to create their own content or record the music that they were learning and publish it. Before then, I never considered myself to be a sound artist or a composer in any sense. This EP was a dive for me to delve into what music inspires me every day. This album has a wide range of influences from sound art to the harmonies of Radiohead. Welcome to the Tea Shop Sessions.
credits
released March 21, 2018
Cover Art: Natalie Stepaniak and Tucker Johnson
Cards Against Musicians
composed by Natalie Stepaniak
"This piece is open to both instrumentalists and vocalists that works best when there are 4-6 performers. Like Cards Against Humanity, it gets harder when there are more than 6 people involved. Each player takes one Exit Card and one Blue Card and two Red Cards. The piece ends when there is one person left performing. While the game mechanics rely on elimination, the goal isn't necessarily to "win," but to create controlled, good-humored chaos. It is more important to create music in this "game." Anyone can play this piece with their colleagues and friends at almost any skill level or style of playing."
credits
from Uncommon Ensemble: Live at Foundation Hall, released January 23, 2019