John Kennedy (born April 7, 1959) is an American conductor and composer. He has worked across the United States, collaborating with contemporary composers and leading ensembles and festivals, including Spoleto Festival USA. Kennedy is known for his long commitment to new music and for conducting the world premiere of the Pulitzer Prize–winning opera Omar in 2022.
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Biography
Originally a percussionist from Minnesota who was trained at the Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University, Kennedy lived in New York City from 1984 to 1999. Kennedy co-founded and led the new music ensemble Essential Music, a group of flexible instrumentation which from 1987 to 2001 led a broad traversal of the American experimental tradition and presented several concerts. During this period Kennedy had an association with John Cage, reviving a number of Cage's early works, including restoring the Kenneth Patchen radio play The City Wears a Slouch Hat. Kennedy also led the rediscoveries of the music of Johanna M. Beyer and William Russell in performances and recordings by Essential Music.
