Aiden K. Feltkamp (they/he) is a Turn the Spotlight fellow and graduate of Bard College Conservatory’s Graduate Vocal Arts Program.   As a trans nonbinary singer, Aiden often found opera and musical theater compositions to be aggressively gendered and binary and was at a loss for repertoire that spoke to them.

Aiden came up with the idea to build a first-of-it’s-kind collection of vocal and piano music that, rather than focusing on a particular instrument or voice type, centered on identity.  In partnership with NewMusicShelf, Aide is proud to release the first-ever volume of songs written for and/or by transgender and nonbinary people, Anthology of New Music: Trans & Nonbinary Voices.

The collection presents composers who highlight the multifaceted intersections unique to the lived experiences of transgender and nonbinary people and stands as a declaration that despite the many historical attempts to isolate them, these communities will not be silenced. Their voices are beautiful, and through printed compositions, the anthology spotlights these important artists so that the world can recognize and revel in their beauty.  NewMusicShelf Anthology of New Music: Trans & Nonbinary Voices, Vol. 1 is published by Dennis Tobenski and curated by Aiden Feltkamp. They hope it will be a resource for voice teachers and recital presenters and reach audiences beyond the book through live performance.