Her music appeals directly to the heart without beating around any emotional bushes. No frills. No long titles. It is by turns dreamy, propulsive, and buoyant; Post-Minimal and Pre-something else. INNOVA
Raised in a Texan Air Force family, Belinda Reynolds now considers herself an 'adopted native' of California. She is an active composer, organizer, and teacher who focuses on bringing new music to a variety of audiences and mediums. Ms Reynolds completed her Doctorate at Yale University with Martin Bresnick, Jacob Druckman, Jonathan Berger, and Tania León. She received her M.A. and B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied principally with Andrew Imbrie and John Thow. She has received awards from ASCAP, the International League of Women Composers, the NACUSA Young Composers Competition, and the CMTA Composition Competition, among others.
As an organizer, Ms. Reynolds is Vice-President of the composers’ cooperative, Common Sense. Common Sense’s premiere CD was recorded on CRI's Emergency Music label in January, 1997. Their CD, Shock of the Old, featuring works from their collaboration with the Bay Area Ensemble American Baroque, was one of the winners of the Chamber Music America/WQXR Best Chamber Music CD for 2003. Common Sense’s latest CD, Tic, was released in 2007 on the Albany label.Other than composing, Ms. Reynolds’ passion is music education. She is in demand nationwide work with schools and communities helping children learn to create music. She has been a Meet-the-Composer-in-Residence for public schools as well as institutions such as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Additionally, she has taught and guest lectured at Dartmouth College and Yale University and has been on the state board of the Music Teachers National Association. Ms. Reynolds has been a weekly columnist for the American Music Center’s NewMusicBox webzine, focusing on composing music for young players. She is also the creator of the innovative commissioning series. Called CUSTOM MADE MUSIC, it enables individuals to commission music ‘customized’ for amateur players in everyday occasions. Ms. Reynolds is the Director of HeShe Music in San Francisco, a private studio that teaches composition, piano, theory, and musicianship to both beginners and professionals. Her music is published by Dover, HeShe Music, Kithara Editions, Les Productions d’OZ, and PRB Productions. Her recorded music can be found on the Albany, Innova, and Trance recording labels, among others.