Chloe Wilkes's compositions center the expressive potential of structure, motion and sound. Reflecting neoclassical genres, blends of jazz styles, romantic, and baroque music, her writing seeks to create an environment of listening that is both introspective and connective, inviting performers and audiences alike to experience sound as something physical, thoughtful, and human.
Whether at her upright piano, sketching on manuscript paper, or working in notation software, Chloe begins each piece by focusing on either a story that elicits a sentiment or a single musical idea found within her surroundings. She listens for its singable quality, letting the music gain a human presence and natural phrasing.
She is particularly interested in how form can emerge organically. How poignancy can be found within simplicity, silence can evoke introspection, and how music can communicate emotion through balance and transformation. Her writing aims to create immersive listening experiences that are reflective, fluid, and human-centered. Contrapuntal layering, harmonic exploration, and experimentation with modality, timbre, and extended techniques allow motifs to evolve organically. Yet, she often returns to the simple, elemental aspects of music: melody, gesture, and resonance. She finds how it can beautifully anchor her writing and reflect the hidden beauties of nature.
Chloe aims to write music that grows intuitively, creates an immersive listening experience reflective of every person it may reach, while expressing herself and her experiences above all else as her own musical identity.
Developed musical excellence, discipline, and creativity with elite training. Attended classes in orchestration, advanced music theory and ear training, and composer's forum group compositional seminar. Culminating in a senior recital showcasing pieces performed by fellow pre-college and Juilliard college musicians.
Attended lectures on advanced music theory, compositional techniques and the history of classical music. Studied under Dr. Martin Amlin; wrote for string quartet with performance by Tanglewood faculty members.
Celebrated world premiere performances of collaborative works composed under mentorship of program faculty led by director Matthew Tommasini and guidance of Dr. Daniel Felsenfeld. Featured in 2025 Spring Showcase, with premiere performance of woodwind trio Dwells To Dreams by NY Phil Orchestra members
Studied under accomplished directors Dr. Kyle Blaha and Dr. Anne Wang and fellow student composers. Attended masterclasses with notable composers, ensembles, and musicians. Composed pieces for harp, double reed quartet, string quartet, and jazz septet, with readings by NYYS guest performers, faculty, and students.
Participant in esteemed program founded by composers Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid. Provided mentorship, education, and resources for young female, nonbinary composers. Attended lectures on compositional techniques and notation software, including sequencing software and digital audio work station tools. Wrote pieces for double bass and clarinet, flute and triangle, and harp.
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall - June 2025
Chloe has spent years weaving together art in various forms: piano, voice, and ballet. Composition was a place where she could pour everything into one bucket, contributing synergistically. Counterpoint felt like two dancers waltzing across an invisible stage, each voice moving in dialogue yet never colliding. Ballet reveals that mere notes on paper only come alive through physical movement and flow. Concerning voice, the melodic lines breathed into life by violins, whose phrasing seemed to sing even without lungs, were made visible. And improvising on the piano left an escape from her classically-trained mind, allowing herself to be inspired by the musicians around her and let her fingers discover impromptu melodies.
Received full-ride scholarship (New York Philharmonic Scholar) to attend arts camp for two 3-week intensive sessions studying classical piano and ballet.
Performed, rigorously rehearsed, and competed in Cremona, Italy. Experienced solo piano performance and chamber music.
All-day music marathon with performances at Merkin Hall for a cause. Money raised to supporting educational programs at Lucy Moses School and Special Music School by performing piano works by composers like Chopin, Kodaly, and more.
Experienced rehearsing with and playing in a piano quartet. Performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Anna-Maria Kellen Concert Hall
Danced classical ballet as a pre-professional dancer for 9 years at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Rehearsed and trained 5x per week with annual recitals and performances. Performed at the Lincoln Center numerous times in supernumerary roles
Annual spring choral performances served as a tradition at LaGuardia High School, with choral groups like Senior Chorus and Cantare performing selections of choral works.
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall - June 2024
Carmina Burana | LaGuardia High School Senior Chorus and Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Faith Divertimento I. Larghetto, VI. Allegro con fuoco | Third Street Music School
Frederic Chopin Etude in A-Flat Major, Op. 25 No. 1 | Interlochen Chapel Recital
Amy Beach Hermit Thrush at Morn | Anselmo International Music Competition
Desafinado | Silvana's Jazz Club LaGuardia Jazz Vocal Gig
H.T. Burleigh "Frolic" from the Southland | Princeton International Piano Competition
Considering Matthew Shepard: A Choral Suite [part 1] LaGuardia Winter Semi-Annual
Billie Holiday God Bless The Child | Third Street Jazz Winter Intensive Showcase
Frédéric Chopin's Nocturne No.15 in F minor Op. 55 no.1 with original choreography by Chloe Wilkes
Zoltan Kodaly Nine Piano Pieces for Piano Op. 3 No. 2
Karen Tanaka Our Planet Earth, No 13: Light | Clara Mannes Scholar Program
Frederic Chopin Waltz in E Minor Opus Posthumous | Mannes Prep Winter Recial