Music, Theatre, Dance Faculty & Staff
Last Name
Kieffer
First Name
Olivia
Email
kieffero@gvsu.edu
Title
Music Theory, Visiting Professor
Website
Office Phone
6163312580
About
Dr. Olivia Kieffer is a composer, percussionist, toy pianist, and educator originally from Wisconsin. Her music has been described as “immediately attractive,” “like a knife of light,” and “honest, to the point, and joyful!”
She feels at home in both the classical and rock worlds, and was an active performer in Atlanta’s vibrant contemporary classical music scene for over a decade, including her work as bandleader and drummer for the 7-piece chamber rock band Clibber Jones Ensemble. Olivia is former adjunct music faculty at Reinhardt University (2009 – 2017), where she taught percussion and World Music. She is the newest member of smol ensemble, a quintet of percussionists and pianists.
She earned a DMA in Composition at University of Miami in 2023. Her musical mentors include percussionists Allen Otte and Stuart Gerber, and composers Marc Mellits, Douwe Eisenga, William Susman, Jon Welstead, Charles N. Mason, and Lansing McLoskey. She has degrees from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Georgia State University, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Her compositions for concert band, toy piano, saxophone, percussion, guitar, and chamber ensembles have been performed nationally and internationally since 2012, and her music can be heard on albums by toy pianist Amy O’Dell, Deuson Pilkington Duo, Clibber Jones Ensemble, saxophonist Nicki Roman, and fivebyfive.
Her work as a musician has been highlighted in Journal for the International Alliance for Women in Music, ArtsAtl, TomTom Magazine, WABE-FM (90.1), Moving Classics TV, and the 1track podcast. She is a guest contributor to NewMusicBox and EarRelevant. In 2017 Olivia was Composer in Residence at the Florida International Toy Piano Festival and the Mana Saxophone Institute.
Olivia is on the organizing committee for the SoundNOW Festival and serves on both the Percussive Arts Society Diversity Alliance and the Composition Committee.