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



.

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: Primary Members

Jaime Esposito
Co-Founder

Jaime Esposito is a percussion performer and educator based out of Dallas, Texas. In 2018, Jaime co-founded Spectrum Ensemble, a non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting talented LGBTQA+ composers and performers. The ensemble commissions and performs new music by Queer composers, raises funds for LGBTQA+ causes, and advocates for marginalized members of the music community. 

As a performer, Esposito was an artist with the International Lyric Academy in Italy during the summer of 2018. Additionally, in the summer of 2015, they were invited to the United Kingdom to perform with the prestigious Britten-Pears Festival Orchestra. Domestically, Jaime has been an artist with the World Percussion Group and Heartland Marimba collective, where they performed concerts and offered coaching sessions to students across the country. Esposito frequently plays with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony, Allen Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic, and Dallas Chamber Winds.

As an educator, Esposito currently serves as a private lessons instructor and front ensemble tech at LD Bell High School in Hurst, Texas. Additionally, Jaime has taught as an adjunct professor at North Texas Central College, front ensemble tech for the Vigilantes Indoor Percussion Ensemble, sectional coach for the Fort Worth Youth Symphony, and drumline instructor at the Culver Military Academy.

As a graduate student at the University of North Texas, they held responsibilities teaching primary lessons to undergraduate percussion students, teaching the Freshman Percussion Ensemble, as served as a Graduate Teaching Fellow and Office Assistant for Mark Ford.
​
Jaime holds a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Northwestern University. Their primary teachers include She-e Wu, James Ross, Chris Lamb, Christopher Deane, and Robert Schietroma. 

Jaime currently lives in Denton, Texas with their partner Isabelle and children Hodge and Elzora
www.JaimeEspositoPercussion.com

Stephen Hall
Co-Founder

Originally from Chicago, IL, Stephen Hall is a marimba player, percussionist, composer, music educator, and advocate for equity in music and society at large. They are co-founder of Spectrum Ensemble, where they focus on promoting LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in music, building community among Queer artists, and fundraising and other social justice work.

Stephen's works and arrangements have been featured on concerts at Northwestern University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Queer Healing Arts Center in Oakland CA, Southern California Marimba, the ChamberQUEER Festival, the Church of the Friendly Ghost New Music festival, Modern Marimba, the Oh My Ears New Music Festival, the Lift Music Fund, the Kontrapunktus Chamber Orchestra, and more.

During their undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, Stephen studied primarily with She-e Wu, an internationally recognized soloist. Stephen went on to receive their masters degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with Jack van Geem, former long-standing principal percussionist of the San Francisco Symphony. During this time, they had the pleasure to work with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and Steve Schick, and they performed in the opening concert of the San Francisco Symphony’s acclaimed Sound Box venue.

As a student, Stephen participated in music competitions around the world, receiving first prize in the Percussive Arts Society International Marimba Competition and the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Competition.

In addition to their work with Spectrum Ensemble, Stephen is also an active advocate for antiracism and equity in general. They recently were part of the Percussive Arts Society's panel discussion on diversity and equity in new/experimental percussion music, and were on a panel for the San Francisco Center for New Music on Queer and Trans voices. They were also a presenter for Inspire Choir for Unity's webinar on creating affirming spaces in music for LGBTQ+ musicians. Stephen was a member of New Music Equity Action, a group of musicians, composers, administrators, and artists in the New Music scene coming together to dismantle white supremacy in music.

​Stephen currently resides in Altadena, CA.

Follow them at:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/marimbahall/
Website:  www.marimbahall.com