Alba Music Festival Composition Program

“My roommates and I have a record player in our living room, and my Paul Simon record tends to be our ol’ reliable.”

Kieran Bakunas is an Ohio-based composer and french horn player who explores themes of nature, social justice, and representation. With a focus on environmental activism, he has delivered award winning presentations at multiple interdisciplinary conferences on how nature conservation can become more accessible through its connection to music. Through the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University, he works one-on-one with faculty members in fields of music theory, composition, and music history; as an ambassador for the School of Music, he assists in the operation of electroacoustic festivals such as CLICK FEST as well as admissions events for the college. Kieran has also worked with professional ensembles such as Unheard-of//Ensemble, and is looking forward to an upcoming premiere with the Hinge Quartet. He also remains an active musician, performing in Ohio University’s Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and has performed on stage with well-known groups such as the Boston Brass, R.E.M. and the Indigo Girls. He is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in Music with concentrations in music composition and french horn performance at Ohio University.

Cole Davin is a composer and pianist from Fairfield, Connecticut, currently studying at the University of Miami’s prestigious Frost School of Music. With a major in Media Scoring, a minor in Composition, and a concentration in Classical Piano, Cole is deeply committed to merging classical foundations with contemporary scoring techniques. Through a unique blend of media music and traditional composition, Cole strives to craft emotionally resonant and innovative musical landscapes. Whether composing for film, television, or concert settings, his work is characterized by a deep understanding of both musical theory and the power of storytelling through sound.