Biography

Eileen V. Padgett is a composer and pianist based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, upon the traditional and unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. She teaches at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, where she serves as department chair of Theory, Music Appreciation, and Composition.

Born to a Filipino-Canadian family in Lindsay, Ontario, Eileen began her musical studies at the piano studio of Gael Morrison. She completed her Bachelor of Music at Queen’s University (2009) where she studied composition with Marjan Mozetich and piano with Dr. Ireneus Zuk, and was awarded the medal in music. Under the mentorship of Dr. Stephen Chatman, she subsequently pursued a Masters of Music (2011) and Doctorate of Musical Arts (2017) in composition at the University of British Columbia.

Professional ensembles and soloists that have commissioned, performed or read Eileen’s music include the Prince George Symphony Orchestra; the New York Metropolitan Youth Orchestra; the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; the National Arts Centre Orchestra; the Phoenix Chamber Choir; the University of British Columbia Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Bands and Singers; Pacifica Singers; solo harpist Claire Augier de Lajallet; and Vetta Chamber Music - with whom she acted as composer-in-residence during the 2016-2017 season.

Eileen’s suite for solo harp, Memories in Water, was recently featured on Claire Augier de Lajallet’s acclaimed solo CD “Memories” (2023). This piece was commissioned with the support of GVL Neustart Kultur.

"As a composer, I’ve come to believe that every moment is full of artistic potential. Everything we say and do is an act of creation. Every step we take can be a dance, and every breath a song. Every motion made with intention and feeling has meaning. For me personally, art begins in the heart." - Eileen V. Padgett

“On entre pleinement dans l’univers d’Eileen Padgett, comme si les notes donnaient davantage de sens que les paroles d’une chanson.” - Joël Chevassus (Audiophile-Magazine, July 23, 2023)

“[We enter completely into the universe of Eileen Padgett, wherein the notes speak with more meaning than the lyrics of a song.]”  - Joël Chevassus (Audiophile-Magazine, July 23, 2023)
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*Photos courtesy of Nadia Kwandibens - Redworks Photography