Shawn Okpebholo

Shawn E. Okpebholo is a Nigerian American composer of contemporary classical music. Early life and education Shawn Okpebholo was born on March 28, 1981, and was raised by a single mother in the projects of Lexington, Kentucky. He grew up in the Salvation Army church, where he received free music lessons from a young age. His first instrument was the baritone horn, which he played in the Salvation Army brass band. As a teenager, he began composition lessons with James Curnow, a fellow church member and music professor at Asbury University. These experiences have been cited as Okpebholo’s inspiration for his desire to spread music to places that are underserved. Okpebholo obtained a bachelor’s degree in music composition from Asbury University. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in composition from the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) at the University of Cincinnati. Career Okpebholo’s music has been commissioned by organizations including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the United States Air Force Strings, Imani Winds, WindSync, Urban Arias, Sparks & Wiry Cries, and the Copland House Ensemble, as well as Tanglewood, Aspen, and Newport Classical music festivals. His art s