Background
MM, Indiana University
Associate Director, Institute for New Music and Co-Director of Contemporary Music Ensemble. Ben Bolter made his orchestral conducting debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at age 25, with the Washington Post praising his performance: “Bolter spotlighted the showiest aspects...and made it look easy.” As part of Chicago's acclaimed Ear Taxi Festival, his world premiere of Drew Baker's NOX was named Chicago's Best Classical Music Performance of 2016 by the Third Coast Review. John von Rhein of the Chicago Tribune remarked: "[Drew Baker's] NOX made an altogether striking close to an absorbing, eclectic program, quite the best of the Ear Taxi events..." Bolter has also served as an assistant conductor with the Indianapolis Symphony and has been a frequent guest at the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Bolter has worked with some of the country’s leading new music ensembles. He led the inaugural performance of the acclaimed Grossman Ensemble in what the Chicago Tribune described as a “historic” debut and a performance that “set a high standard for itself — and lofty expectations for the concerts ahead.” He has also worked extensively with the International Contemporary Ensemble, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Third Coast Percussion, Spektral Quartet, Indiana University New Music Ensemble, Square Peg Round Hall, and soloists, including Claire Chase, Tony Arnold, Kate Soper, Vijay Iyer, Iarla Ó’Lionáird, among others. Bolter has given world premieres by Shulamit Ran, Sam Pluta, Marcos Balter, Tonia Ko, Anthony Cheung, and Matthew Peterson and has worked closely with major figures such as Steve Reich, Tania León, Julia Wolfe, John Luther Adams, David Lang, and Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Under his stage name “Boltah,” he has released original albums on streaming platforms and performed at venues nationwide. Boltah has written music for dance companies, animations and exhibitions. He recently collaborated with artists/writers Monica Rickert-Bolter and Joel Rickert on an animatic which was featured at the grand opening of the National Public Housing Museum in April 2025. The project was also awarded a Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) grant to create a published and digital comic book.
Bienen Ensembles
Bienen Ensembles