Lavell Blackwell

Lavell Blackwell​​ is a nationally known composer and music educator whose latest teaching position was at the University of New Hampshire as a music theory instructor. He earned his doctor of musical arts degree in composition from the New England Conservatory of Music in May 2021 where he studied with Dr. Kati Agócs. His dissertation composition "The Long Walk" for orchestra with found objects received the 2020 Graduate Music Award from the Presser Foundation for the purposes of a professional recording. His most recent premiere was "Fan Unfair," a work for trumpet duet performed in Jordan Hall in October 2022. Other recent commissions include a trio for English horn, trumpet, and piano entitled "Prelude and Counterpoint," and the solo oboe work "Locrian Ambulations," which was commissioned by Nicholas Tisherman, assistant principal oboist in the Colorado Symphony in Denver.

Additionally, he holds a master of music degree from New England Conservatory where he studied with Malcolm Peyton, as well as a master of fine arts in musical theater writing from New York University. His chamber opera Far Away From America was chosen for the Warning: Not For Broadway Festival at Dixon Place, and his musical Keep On Walkin‘ earned the Anna Zornio Children’s Theater Playwriting Award. His work has also been performed as part of the New York Fringe Festival, the Emerging Artist Theater Festival, and the New York Theater Workshop.