Chris Kallmyer

Chris Kallmyer is a performer/composer/sound artist living in Los Angeles, CA and is the Curator of Sound Programming for the Machine Project. Chris earned his MFA in music from the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with Thomas Stevens, Vinny Golia, Wadada Leo Smith, and Edward Carroll. He holds a BA in trumpet performance from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

As a composer and sound artist, he has presented works at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Hammer Museum, Machine Project, the Goldwell Open Air Museum and various parking lots in LA. His works are influenced by a sense of place, space, architecture, field recordings, and outdoor listening. His collaboration with cheesemaker, Sue Conley of Cowgirl Creamery, FERMENT[cheese], has led him to his current work using field recordings, and spatial sound to explore food production in its complexities and storied traditions. On July 17, 2010, his installation piece, “everyone in a place” will be featured at the Hammer Museum, giving free admission to anyone who would like to visit the museum, wear a bell, and consider their surroundings.

As a trumpet player, Chris has performed at REDCAT, LACMA, the Hammer Museum(UCLA), Machine Project, CalArts, art galleries in Washington DC and Los Angeles, various cities in Italy, and the Geneva Conservatory in Switzerland.  He has premiered over 50 new works for trumpet and collaborates extensively with composer and long time friend, composer Matt Sargent. He has recently received a new piece for two trumpets from Ben Johnston entitled Goin’.

Chris continues to aspire to make meaningful art with composers, performers, visual artists, dancers, cheesemakers, and nice folks alike. Additionally, he delights in drinking coffee, and enjoying the great California outdoors.



photo by Marianne Williams