On April 8, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation awarded Guggenheim Fellowships to a diverse group of 184 artists, writers, scholars, and scientists. These exceptional candidates were selected through a rigorous peer-review process from almost 3,000 applicants. Among the recipients are two UChicago-affiliated composers.
We are proud to congratulate our previous Department of Music composers Igor Santos (Ph.D. 2018) and Ashkan Behzadi (Postdoctoral Researcher at the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition 2019-20).
Igor Santos
PhD 2018
Described as “otherworldly and mysteriously familiar” (Chicago Classical Review), and as “exciting and clear... with a striking boldness" (Luigi Nono Competition Prize), Igor Santos’ music has been performed internationally, by leading musicians such as Ensemble Dal Niente, Ensemble Modern, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Alarm Will Sound, eighth blackbird, POING, the American Composers Orchestra, and The Florida Orchestra.
Igor has earned degrees in Music Composition from the University of Chicago (Ph.D. 2018), the Eastman School of Music (M.A. 2012), and the University of South Florida (B.M. 2010). Additional studies include workshops and festivals such as Mizzou (2018), Impuls (2017), Time of Music (2017), ManiFeste (2015), Fontainebleau (2011), among others. Igor has been award a Guggenheim Fellowship (2021), and has won first prizes in the Luigi Nono International Competition and the RED NOTE Competition, second prize in the Salvatore Martirano Award, and was also awarded Best Sound Design from Theatre Tampa Bay.
A native of Curitiba, Brazil, Igor is currently based in Chicago, IL. In addition to writing concert music, he serves as Technical Director for Ensemble Dal Niente, and composes for theater productions throughout the US and Europe.
Ashkan Behzadi
2019-2020 Postdoctoral Researcher with the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition
Ashkan recently served as the Postdoctoral Researcher at the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition where he created new works for the resident Grossman Ensemble and guest artists. Behzadi also taught undergraduate music courses, provided music lessons, and participated in the CCCC’s workshops and events. He is currently a Lecturer in Discipline in the Columbia University Department of Music.
View the full list of 2021 Guggenheim Fellows here.