Bio & Press
Composer Pianist
Award-winning, International Performing Artist
"Her music is rhythmically compelling, expressive and with a quirky sense of humor. Many of her works involve improvisation and spontaneous composition making each performance a unique experience.” — The Fridge, Dubai
Kallenberg’s unique synesthesia is the impromptu foundation of her often noted aesthetic and stylistic voice. "Haley Kallenberg is one of Dubai's most intriguing solo pianists." — The Fridge, Dubai. Her creative approach has curated an ever-expanding portfolio of characters and stories told with music. "Next was American pianist and composer Haley Kallenberg performing her own music, which is quite jazzy, with very cool, nicely original musicality. She seems to really enjoy playing and this gives the audience permission to enjoy her performance. Not all performers do this, so it was lovely to see. She really has something to say, with a strong sound and feel for the keyboard. I especially like her sense of harmony and development of her ideas. Fine work that was nicely received by the audience.” — Sound Word Sight, The Winners of the Ibla Grand Prize International Music Competition — Carnegie Hall, New York.
In May 2012 Kallenberg made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City performing her winning composition in the IBLA Winners Concert. At the 2011 Ibla World Music Competition in Sicily, Italy, Kallenberg was awarded the Grand Prize “Most Distinguished Composer.” Additionally the International Jury committee made “Special Mention” of her own performance of her solo piano composition “JEX.”
Kallenberg has composed over 70 works ranging from large to small ensembles; orchestra to piano solo. Many of her pieces are composed for children’s audiences and adults young at heart. "All the pieces presented by Haley were expressing her dreams and vision of life with all its changes, ups and downs... These pieces reflected and communicated her style and approach to performing. — Ghassan Kharoub, Daily Al Bayan Dubai (Translated from Arabic to English by Faten Abilmona)
A modern musical nomad for over twelve years of expat life, "Haley Kallenberg has brought her award-winning original compositions to international stages." — Time Out Beirut. She has done extensive performing of both her own original compositions and piano repertoire. Her career includes numerous concerts as a soloist in North and South America, Europe, East Asia, West Africa, and the Middle East. "Performing original material fits in perfectly with Haley Kallenberg, Dubai's premiere contemporary improvisational artist." — Gulf News, Dubai.
While living in Brazil, Kallenberg was a featured soloist performing her original compositions with the Symphonic Orchestra of the Federal University of Paraíba in 2014. In 2015, Kallenberg was selected to participte in the American Composers Orchestra - Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute at the Herb Alpert School of Music, UCLA, in Los Angeles, California. In addition to performing, she has received a number of commissions for her work as a composer; including from members of the royal Al Mohair family while she was living in Dubai and from Parthenia Viols while completeing her Masters in Music in New York City. In Spring 2015, Parthenia Viol Consort requested additional works from Kallenberg’s catalog of programmatic chamber music for children based on Aesop's fables. The works are scheduled to be featured in Parthenia's 2020 Concert program.
Kallenberg was born and raised in Alaska where she started studying piano at age three and took up composing as soon as she had command of the keys. She studied classical piano and composition throughout her entire childhood and attended Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan, USA during 1998 and 2000. At the age of twelve she was featured in performance with Moscow Philharmonic pianist Galina Preobrazhenskaya in the United States. She graduated summa cum laude from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle where she finished a Bachelor of Music. She graduated from The Aaron Copland School of Music with a Master of Music in 2016. She currently lives in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Teaching Artist and Educator
" 'I want to make music education accessible for everyone perpetuating community and cultural communication,' Kallenberg told Gulf News." — Alice Johnson The Gulf News, Dubai
Kallenberg's work as a music educator parallels that of her performing career. Her teaching experience spans over 20 years, including work in The USA, Europe, Japan, The Caucasus and the Middle East. She is an accredited teacher of the International Baccalaureate (DP & MYP) and holds the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) International Teachers Certification (ITC). She has lectured and given master classes on the topic of spontaneous composition at the Canadian University of Dubai and in Brazil where she has been a guest lecturer and master class teacher at the Universidade Federal da Paraiba of the same topic. She has held a variety of teaching artist positions worldwide from The Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York City, to public schools in Salvador, Brazil's outer city community developments. Kallenberg also works as a cultural and educational events promoter and advocate for music. She produces events featuring artists and developing an appreciation of arts within many communities around the globe. For a her full teaching resume please visit her LinkedIn profile
PRESS
Next was American pianist and composer Haley Kallenberg performing her own music, which is quite jazzy, with very cool, nicely original musicality. She seems to really enjoy playing and this gives the audience permission to enjoy her performance. Not all performers do this, so it was lovely to see. She really has something to say, with a strong sound and feel for the keyboard. I especially like her sense of harmony and development of her ideas. Fine work that was nicely received by the audience. — The Winners of the Ibla Grand Prize International Music Competition
Jeffery James
Sound Word Sight, NYC
Haley Kallenberg is one of Dubai's most intriguing solo pianists… Her music is rhythmically compelling, expressive and with a quirky sense of humor. Many of her works involve improvisation and spontaneous composition making each performance a unique experience.
The Fridge
Dubai
Haley Kallenberg has brought her unique brand of music to the desert... Far from being predictable, Kallenberg, 27, spontaneously composes during performances, giving her audiences one-time only shows that won't ever be repeated again.
Gulf News
Dubai
... an evening that promises plenty of improvisation from the talented pianist. Humor runs though a lot of Haley's work...
Susan Rutherford
Dubai Eye 103.8 Radio
Avec elle aussi, dès les premières mesures, le piano est brusquement hanté de féerie comme tous les gestes de la jeune interprète qui dodeline de la tête et emboîte le pas aux rythmes et cadences qui pleuvent comme des cordes, avec des moments de rêverie et de netteté d'un toucher chargé de tendresse. Éclats jazzy favorisés, mais aussi des tonalités américaines à la Joplin, Barber et Menotti. Avec, en figure de proue, des accords riches sur une base fragile de notes aigrelettes.
