Current Projects
On October 6th, “Her Elegy: Evocation” was released as the first track of a long-time larger work-in-progress. The first three tracks (Evocation, Dedication, and Meditation) take you on a solo piano journey of losing and remembering someone you love, followed by an album which twists into a narrative told by Ida - prima stage-grandma of her star piano prodigy grandson, Dustin. This album bends through synth-wave-art-rock, mixed with Ida's favorite works by Liszt, Debussy, Chopin and Rachmaninoff.
In 2015, choreographer Maya Taylor and Marigny Opera Ballet commissioned a 15 min. solo piano piece to premiere at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans. As Maya and I collaborated on the three-part dance collab., we eventually based the music and choreography on a mutual understanding of loss and its various stages of grief.
Shortly after, Mindy Gledhill and I formed our synth-pop duo Hive Riot and based the last track (Her Elegy) of our self-titled album on the first movement of this work. The music was again inspiration for the lovely Parisa Khobdeh and her dance company in NYC, and later revised for Chamberlain Ballet in Texas.
Finally, I'm officially releasing this music in its original form: Her Elegy in three parts: Evocation, Dedication, and Meditation. It is a deep dive into the past and and big jump outside the box as I conjure the glorified persona of my late grandmother, Ida Lucile Boyd Reid.
The second track, Dedication, was released November 3, 2023, followed by Meditation on December 8, 2023. Stream and download the music by clicking the links above and below.
Other Projects
Prokofiev’s Cinderella: A Transformational Twist
Cinderella and Disney are inextricably woven together in most contemporary minds. Yet Disney’s adaptation, which is so brightly tattooed onto my own childhood, is only one of many versions of this story whose Origins of the Cinderella story date nearly 2,000 years earlier in ancient Greece.
Among the various authors inspired by the tale, Charles Perrault, on whom Disney drew heavily, also inspired a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev which he worked on during the worst years of WWII. Finally performed at the Bolshoi in 1945 Prokofiev’s version deviates significantly from a pivotal story-line of a single fairy godmother by adding a team of four seasonal fairies that turn the Cinderella story into the ultimate “makeover” trope and putting it squarely as the reigning standard for every similar effort from My Fair Lady to Queer-Eye.
Spring Fairy presents Cinderella with fancy fabric for her fancy dress. Summer, Autumn and Winter fairies contribute to her transformation with mice, a pumpkin and a sparkly crown (releasing as singles: August 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.
Currently in development: an animated short film featuring these fairies with illustrator Evan Heasman @Soju_Shots and voice-over artist Shelly Shenoy. Produced and directed by Dustin Gledhill.
About
Dustin Gledhill is an International prize-winning pianist, composer, songwriter, producer, teacher, director, writer and actor. As a child prodigy and young adult pianist, he garnered over twenty first-prize awards in international completion.
As composer and performer, he has collaborated with modern dance companies and choreographers such as Pina Bausch, Russell Maliphant, Parisa Khobdeh, Maya Taylor andBrad Landers. In 2022, Dustin became president of The Bohemians: New York Musicians’ Club - a 117 year-old non-profit, supporting young musicians through an annual concert series. Dustin fully produced their virtual concert series in 2021 for their 115th season, and created the first Bohemians Young Artists Piano Competition in 2022. www.BohemiansNYC.org
Dustin is the director of Gledhill Arts Collective - a group of private teaching studios In NYC, complemented by collaborative professional events and workshops. Students of GAC have soloed with orchestras, won top prizes in international young artists competitions, Summer festivals, and consistently win national gold and state medals from the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Certificate Program. www.GledhillArtsCollective.com
Dustin collaborated with writer and director Nathan Wright, composing electronic-Classical inspired music for a collage-theater piece, “Manifesto,” featuring the life of Serge Diaghilev. www.inabsentiatheater.com
Dustin has been commissioned to compose originals music for podcasts such as Autism Speaks and other commercial work. In 2016, Dustin, along with singer-songwriter and sister-in-law Mindy Gledhill, formed synth-pop duo, Hive Riot, releasing an award-winning album, music videos and additional singles.
Current and future projects include: recording and performing the piano music of Gabriel Fauré, commemorating one hundred years since his death in 2024; releasing a series of original solo piano tracks titled “Mottscapes,” inspired by views of the Harlem River and various bridges from his home in Mott Haven, Bronx; releasing a trio of original piano compositions titled “Her Elegy,” originally commissioned by choreographer Maya Taylor in New Orleans and inspired by the highly influential relationship Dustin had with his grandmother, Ida. Dustin is also in the development stages of producing an arts educational video series, in part inspired by the television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” www.DustinGledhill.com
A once upon a time native of Provo, UT., Dustin is a graduate of The Juilliard School (MM), Royal Academy of Music (PGDip), Manhattan School of Music (BM), and received his DMA from Stony Brook University in New York. Dustin currently lives in Mott Haven, Bronx.
Watch
Gabriel Fauré
Dustin’s plans to release an all-Fauré album in 2024, honoring Fauré’s centennial.
Dance Collaboration
As composer / performer, he has collaborated with modern dance companies and choreographers such as Pina Bausch, Russell Maliphant, Parisa Khobdeh, Maya Taylor and Brad Landers.
Hive Riot
Dustin and singer-songwriter, Mindy Gledhill, formed synth-pop duo, Hive Riot, releasing an award-winning album, music videos and additional singles. Hive Riot: YouTube Link
Gledhill Arts Collective
Dustin is director of the Gledhill Arts Collective - a group of private teaching studios In NYC, complemented by collaborative professional events and workshops. www.GledhillArtsCollective.com