Rj Dion (b.2000) is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and artistic researcher whose work highlights acrobatic lyricism, sensitive textures, and eclectic storytelling. Recently collaborated with OUT Ensemble, Lauren Blair Smith Dance Company, Stuart Mackenzie, and The Myriad Project to premiere works as part of an awareness concert entitled Threads Woven, which meets at a crossroads between efforts to create space for advocacy groups in sharing their services to the public and
performing his compositions. As a recent graduate of The Hartt School, Rj graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BM in Composition, minoring in Music History. Dion is pursuing his MM in Composition at the University of Michigan, studying with Kristin Kuster. He previously studied with Nathalie Joachim, Tawnie Oslon, Susan Botti, and Gala Flagello.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Rj has performed with multiple jazz combos, big bands, chamber groups, wind ensembles, and as a soloist. Learning under Javon Jackson, Dion spent time performing in jazz combos as a saxophonist, playing music from Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, and Dexter Gordon. Through his time in large ensembles, Rj has doubled on flute, piccolo, clarinet, and bass clarinet. As a pianist, Dion has performed many of his new works, including prepared piano and electroacoustic pieces. More recently, Rj has been working on classical guitar and building a diverse array of repertoire in his style.

Through his research in ethnomusicology, he has worked to combine the instruments he’s researching with his composition, more recently writing a thesis and a subsequent set of pieces for fixed media and oud entitled “nova ideia”. Following the connections of strummed instruments and folk theory in Portugal to India. Through his work at the University of Michigan, Rj has been focusing his research on the intersectionality of Queer Art and Mental Health Awarness.

Compositionally, Rj has recently collaborated with multiple chamber ensembles and solo performers to continue his artistic journey. This includes collaborations with Wind Quintet, Solo pieces for Clarinet and Saxophone, and Wind Ensemble works, to name a few. Long-term Dion has been writing for larger ensembles and bridging back into vocal music to find the space between mediums.

Recent Headshots

(credit Peter Smith)