About Spectrum

Ensemble

Spectrum is a new music ensemble that highlights talented LGBTQA+ musicians. Based in Denton, Tx, the ensemble commissions and performs new music by up-and-coming and established Queer composers.

"We want people to like our music because it is phenomenal, not because we are queer.
But at the same time we want to be positive role models,
​helping to normalize queerness and move toward social equity."

An idea long overdue

For years, the Spectrum Ensemble was an idea incubating in Jaime Esposito's mind. The idea grew after noticing that there is a distinct lack of LGBTQ+ representation despite queer artists making up a large part of the classical music community. As the idea grew, Jaime realized their passion is to give the queer community a platform to create and make music together.

​Jaime and co-founder SA Hall were friends ever since they attended Northwestern University together. After hearing Jaime passionately talk about this idea, it was SA's enthusiasm and willingness to jump on board with the project that acted as a catalyst to finally create Spectrum Ensemble. 



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Our Goal

Spectrum Ensemble has three objectives: 

• Commission and perform great music of high caliber
• Increase representation of Queer artists in the Classical music world
• Use our music to raise funds that will be donated to meaningful LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations

Spectrum Ensemble is based in Texas, where LGBTQA+ representation has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of young queer people. From there, the group travels out to different communities and states to share their music. 

Spectrum Ensemble: Members

Jaime Esposito
​Founder

Jaime Esposito is a Chicago-based percussionist and arts leader. They are the co-founder of Spectrum Ensemble, a percussion duo dedicated to increasing LGBTQ+ representation in classical music, which was recognized by ClassicFM as one of the top 11 LGBTQ+ ensembles in the world.

Through their work with Spectrum Ensemble, Esposito has emerged as a champion for commission-based works, inclusive programming, and community advocacy. As an international performer, Esposito has been featured with prestigious organizations, including the International Lyric Academy (Italy), the Britten-Pears Festival Orchestra (UK), and MarimbaFest Australia. Domestically, they have toured, performed, and coached students nationwide with groups such as the World Percussion Group, Heartland Marimba, and Athena Brass.

Now based in Illinois, Esposito actively performs as a guest artist with local symphonies across the region while continuing to expand Spectrum Ensemble’s reach and impact.

Cleo Goldberg

Cleo Goldberg is a Chicago-based classical musician that enjoys engagements as a percussionist, conductor, and music educator. Recent collaborations as a percussionist include Access Contemporary Music, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Gateways Music Festival, and the NYO All-Stars Orchestra, and they have performed across the United States and in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Russia. Cleo has taught music in the Chicago Public Schools for years, and has served as the Artistic Director of the Lakeside Pride Pops Ensemble since 2021.
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Music-making in community-centered spaces has always been particularly fulfilling for Cleo, and they are honored to be joining Spectrum Ensemble.​