Austin Philemon is an organist, pianist, conductor, and composer based in New York City. He has had the opportunity to perform solo recitals domestically including at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Paul’s Chapel at Trinity Wall Street, and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Times Square, as well as abroad in Paris, France; Graz, Austria; Romainmôtier, Switzerland; Haarlem, Netherlands; Modena, Italy, and Höganäs, Sweden. He has been selected as a finalist in several major improvisation competitions including the National Competition in Organ Improvisation and the University of Michigan Organ Improvisation Competition, and also received first prize in the George R. Mathison Memorial Competition.
As an advocate for new organ music, Austin has premiered over 30 works for organ, served as consultant for countless more, and is passionate about educating composers on how to write for the organ. As a composer of both traditional, electro-acoustic, and performance art works, Austin collaborates frequently with experimental artists. Recent partnerships include Curiouser and Curiouser for ensemble and motion-tracking electronics, performed by Infrasound, and The Fermi Paradox for piano quartet, commissioned by Seven Hills Chamber Music.
Austin graduated with the Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Dr. Andrew Henderson. He graduated summa cum laude as a Levine Scholar from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he double-majored in German and Organ Performance, helping to found the university’s organ program with his teacher, Dr. Jacqueline Yost. Austin currently serves as Director of Music & Media at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and was recently appointed Assistant Conductor of the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra. He also studies bandoneon in the studio of Rodolfo Zanetti.
