Rick Baitz

Rick Baitz is a founding faculty member and former Chair (2012–2016) of VCFA's MFA in Music Composition Program, established in 2011. He holds a DMA from Columbia University and has been a pivotal figure in shaping low-residency music education, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches across film scoring, electronic music, and global influences. His career spans concert compositions (e.g., River of January) and film scores (e.g., What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael).

Education:

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), Composition, Columbia University (1991)
• Master of Music and Bachelor of Music, Manhattan School of Music

Research & Teaching: Baitz integrates global folk traditions and modern technology in his work. He co-created VCFA's signature residency festivals including the Film and Media Music Festival. His mentorship focuses on hybrid art forms, blending concert and media composition.

Awards: Recipient of BMI's Classic Contribution Award (2018), Delius Composition Prize (1993), and fellowships from Tanglewood, MacDowell, and Yaddo.

Advising & Labs: Advised notable students like Beth Bradfish (installation artist) and Ras Burnett (jazz composer). His studio, Rick Baitz Music in NYC, serves as a hub for composition and production.

Future Works: Ongoing collaborations with CalArts, Juilliard’s Global Influences in Contemporary Music Production course, and continued museum soundtrack projects.