Bio
Colton Dodd is an American composer based in New York City. His background as a classically trained pianist, music director, and music administrator contribute to his understanding of the collaborative nature of music-making. Across his work in film, video games, and dance, he is recognized for his ability to tune into his collaborators’ creative impulses, intimately understand their vision, and craft music that heightens the impact of their work. His music is known for its complex layers, hybrid influences, and adaptability to a wide variety of mediums, moods, and styles.
As assistant to internationally recognized composer Caroline Shaw, Colton has worked on major feature films and TV such as, “The Sky Is Everywhere” and “Fleishman Is in Trouble.” He has also worked as an orchestrator and copyist for large orchestral premiers with internationally renown ensembles. His music for film has been seen in multiple short films, advertisements, and games. A few recent projects are “Ryn,” “No Way Which Way,” and “Make Some Noise.” During his undergraduate studies, Colton was commissioned to score an evening-length dance theater work by choreographer Hallie Chametzky. His work on this project, titled “22 Percent: A Disintegrating Data Visualization,” was an essential element in it receiving the VCUarts Undergraduate Research and Innovation Grant. He has worked on projects arranging music for Brooklyn Rider, Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. As the Assistant Music Director at Vail Dance Festival, Colton works collaboratively with leading voices in contemporary performing arts including Brooklyn Rider, Damian Woetzel, and Kurt Crowley.
Colton received a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in piano performance from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Masters Certificate in Orchestration for Film and TV from Berklee College of Music, and a Masters of Music in Screen Scoring at New York University. He was selected for the 2020-2021 SCL New York Mentor Program and the GANG Scholars Program. Colton has studied composition under John Kaefer, Stefan Swanson, and Michael Patterson, among many other brilliant teachers.
As an amateur woodworker and passionate student of computer technology, Colton is attuned to the power of both the old and the new. His craftsmanship lies at the intersection of new technologies and a deep respect for the legacies, traditions, and history that inform his music. His scores display mastery of the most innovative technologies being used in film scoring today. Colton calls upon myriad influences and trainings in his creative practice, combining the slow, patient craftsmanship of woodworking and the meticulous, fine detail of computer technology to craft powerful, poignant scores.
“…Colton Dodd magically recreated the electronic chases and other musical effects.”
-Paul Chihara
The Paul Chihara Collection Volume 4 Death Race 2000
