Mark Hagerty is an award-winning, highly individualistic American composer who pursued classical training as an instrumentalist, singer, and composer, and then determined his own path, outside of any tradition or institution.  He has been developing two compositional practices in parallel—one that extends historic, particularly pre-classical forms, and a second that sets all traditions aside in favor of forays into more extreme forms and modes of expression.  In all cases, he strives for a deep connection with performers and listeners, and his music has found enthusiastic audiences internationally and across the United States.  He is currently working in larger forms and exploring the melding of sound sculpture with more intimate musical expression. Inspirations include science and nature, the poetry of Wallace Stevens, backpacking in Vermont’s Green Mountains, the art music of India, and his two favorite cities, Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro.