Dr. J. Anthony Allen has worn the hats of composer, producer, songwriter, engineer, sound designer, DJ, remix artist, multi-media artist, performer, inventor, and entrepreneur.
J. is a full-time music instructor at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN. Prior to McNally Smith, he has taught at the University of Minnesota, the Peabody Conservatory (Baltimore, MD), and the University of Amsterdam prior to moving in Minneapolis in 2003. He has had a private studio and been an active instructor in guitar and electronic music since he was 16. He is equally comfortable teaching children, adults, beginners, advanced musicians, and everything in between.
Born and raised in Michigan, Allen has worked with many forms of interactive media including audio, video, installation and dance. Dr. Allen’s work has been experienced all over the world, and has been called “a study in ominous sound and motion,”(Baltimore Sun) “An aural hallucinogen,” (Minnesota Public Radio) and “A beautiful and engaging use of technology.” (Cogapp: The Art and Science Blog). In 2003 Allen joined the team of the Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Art where he was the assistant director and lead producer through 2009.
In 2011, Allen become received his PhD in music composition from the University of Minnesota. Prior to attending the U of MN, he received two Masters of Music degrees (MM composition, and MM Electronic Music) from the Peabody Conservatory of Music (Johns Hopkins University). He is also an Ableton Certified Instructor.
His music can be found on the Hackademica, SEAMUS, and Panacea3 labels.
