Kurt Gellersted is a man of many musical faces. Most notably, he is an acclaimed young indie songwriter/composer within New York City's avant-rock scene. Recently, the world premiere recording of Kurt's 8-movement choral work, "Requiem: The World Trade Center Memorial Concert" was featured on "Theme and Variations", a National Public Radio show hosted by William Everet who introduced the work excitedly as "something on a bit of a grand scale". A native of the Chicago suburbs, Kurt spent the early to mid-nineties years playing drums and singing in punk/art-rock bands Birdfeeder and Plane Rides for Five Minute Drives alongside Chicago indie rock legends Cap'n Jazz, Friction, Gauge, and early Braid. Kurt spent his undergrad years at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, world-renown for its focus on Choral music. There, he studied voice with Jon Clements, and composition with Dr. John H. Morrison as well as performing with many Luther choirs. In May of 2000, Kurt received his B.A. Degree with an emphasis in Vocal Performance and Composition. In September of 2000, Kurt landed at NYU's Steinhardt School of Education where he began his Graduate work in Music Composition, studying with Dr. Justin Dello Joio. In December of 2001, Kurt made his conducting debut when the NYU University Singers, of which Kurt was a member, premiered one of his chamber choir pieces . After hearing the selection, Dr. Jeffrey Unger, Director of the NYU Choral Program, was intrigued. When he learned that Kurt's next piece was to be his 8-movement "Requiem", Dr. Unger asked if he could hear bits of the then unfinished score. Upon playing through some movements at the piano, Dr Unger knew the piece would be a perfect closer for the University Singers' upcoming Spring Concert, which was to be held in memory of the World Trade Center Tragedy. At the premiere of "Requiem", Dr. Unger announced, "We have a major new talent among us!" On hand for the performance were the 30-person University Singers Chamber Choir and NYU Faculty soloists supported by a 23-person chamber orchestra compiled of Manhattan School of Music students and other area musicians. Upon hearing the piece, Luther College Nordic Choir Director Weston Noble hailed, "Bravo! A gifted orchestrator. I was drawn to it." In May of 2002, Kurt received his M.A. in Music Composition from NYU. Kurt then went on to collaborate on the music for an independent animation film short by Alisa Harris, while developing his own acoustic rock sound. Currently, Kurt is co-writing various film music cues with NYC avant-garde cellist/composer Erik Friedlander www.erikfriedlander.com. Kurt also premiered two string quartets at Merkin Concert Hall in February 2004. Kurt has been developing a new stage musical on the side with Actor/Playwright Will Brumley and acoustic songwriter Brooke Fox.