Composing Emotion Through Sound with Nan Avant | The Art of Storytelling in Music

Today on Adeptus On-Air, host Mike Hoffman chats with Nan Avant, an award-winning composer and pianist whose work bridges classical tradition with modern expression. Nan shares how her early piano lessons led to a lifelong passion for composing orchestral works, often inspired by her surroundings and emotional experiences. From her years of studying at the California Institute of the Arts to her fascination with orchestration, Nan reflects on the process of transforming inspiration into sound. She describes the creation of her moving piece Nani Lahaina Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra, a tribute to Maui’s spirit after the devastating 2023 fires, and how she captured the voice of the wind through innovative instrumentation. Nan also discusses the evolution of her composition tools, the challenges of translating emotion into melody, and the role of authenticity in her creative process. Tune in to hear about Nan’s approach to composing orchestral works, her latest single, and how she continues to honor culture, emotion, and place through music.