About soundSCAPE
soundSCAPE Composition and Performance Exchange gathers early-career participants and world-class faculty artists to support young composers through the commissioning and performance of their works, to broaden young performers’ musical experiences by engaging in lessons, coachings, workshops, and concerts that promote creativity and blur traditional performer-composer roles, and to connect participants with their global peers while exploring the language and practice of contemporary music. soundSCAPE is an international festival that emphasizes inclusivity. Students of all backgrounds and nationalities are encouraged to apply.
Lisa Cella, Artistic Director
A champion of contemporary music, flutist Lisa Cella has performed throughout the United States and abroad. She is a founding member of NOISE, the resident ensemble of San Diego New Music. With NOISE she has performed the works of young composers all around the world including at the Acousmania Festival in Bucharest, Romania, the Pacific Rim Festival at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and as ensemble-in-residence at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. NOISE also presents a three-day festival of modern music entitled soundON. Lisa performs with Jane Rigler and Carrie Rose in the flute collective inHALE, a group dedicated to developing challenging and experimental repertoire for two or three flutes. She joined the faculty of soundSCAPE in 2006.
Nathanael May, Founder
As a festival producer, concert organizer, recording artist, consultant, educator, and pianist, Nathanael May seeks to open doors for musicians in today’s competitive marketplace.
Dr. May was appointed Chair of the School of Fine Arts at Missouri Western State University in 2020, where he also lectures as a Professor of Piano. His students are winners of local and international competitions, and have been accepted with full scholarship for graduate study in performance at institutions throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Dr. May has received faculty awards for Teaching Excellence, Outstanding Scholarship, and Service Leadership in recognition of his achievements at Missouri Western.
Jeremy Keaton, Festival Director
Jeremy Keaton is a composer, performer, and arts administrator based in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with a Bachelor’s in Music Composition in 2020. Currently, he is the concert coordinator for the Department of Music at UMBC where he oversees the logistics of the department’s concert series. He has served as the Festival Director of soundSCAPE festival since 2025.
soundSCAPE is a non-profit, 501c(3) public charity as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. Selection to participate in the festival is based solely on artistic merit; evaluation of application/audition materials as to levels of individual achievement and artistry. soundSCAPE does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and release of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, visitors and guests.