Marta Tiesenga, originally from Chicago, IL, is an LA-based interdisciplinary artist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and animator currently pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Composition - Experimental Sound Practices and Experimental Animation at California Institute of the Arts. At CalArts, They study with Michael Pisaro, Eyvind Kang, Sara Roberts, and Ulrich Krieger. Previously, Marta earned their BM in Saxophone Performance from the Eastman School of Music, studying under Professor Chien-Kwan Lin. In their work work, Marta explores and experiments with intersections between music cognition, music theory, repetition, composition, language and nonverbal communication, transience, and experience. They work with images, sound, performance, and strive to find an encompassing synthesis between media with inter-sensory art.
During her undergraduate at Eastman, Marta performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Mark Scatterday, OSSIA, SoundExChange, and was a founding member of Eastman Saxophone Project, “ESP” – the first conductor-less saxophone ensemble in the United States to perform completely from memory. She is also a former member of the Wheaton Municipal Band. Marta has performed in masterclasses led by Otis Murphy (Indiana University), Claude Delangle (Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris), Lars Mlekusch (Konservatorium Wien University), and Carrie Koffman (The Hartt School, University of Hartford).
From 2010-2018, Marta has composed extensively, including collaborations with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago with coachings conducted by members of Eighth Blackbird, the New Century Players, and ensembles at the Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, and California Institute for the Arts. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Marta is an active performer, improvisor, and proponent of new music and interdisciplinary collaborations, working with artistically diverse groups ranging from animators to choreographers.
"She draws and etches lines on paper and builds constructs of her imagination, at once magnificent and simple, whether it represents a natural scenery, a portrait or an abstract drawing. The artist writes in her statement that she explores themes of interconnectivity through the repetition of line. Her lines certainly connected with my heart and soul." - Michaela Mende Janco
