Adam Betz (b. 1982) loves writing music. Striving to create works that are engaging to the contemporary music aficionado as well as accessible to the layman, his compositional philosophy is wrapped up in the idea that emotional communication is the primary, although perhaps not the exclusive, goal of music. Betz enjoys drawing from a wide variety of sources. He is unafraid to pull from folk, jazz, the avant-garde, rock and pop styles to effectively express his musical ideas.
Growing up with the typical small town-American life, his musical interests began with studying piano with his mother, playing the trumpet in the school band, and branching off to the guitar to satisfy his heavy metal fix. His compositional drive began with the guitar and several friends in a garage.
Betz is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Composition from Butler University, under the instruction of Dr. Michael Schelle and Dr. Frank Felice. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Composition from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2008, while studying with Dr. James Chaudoir. He has received commissions from several small ensembles as well as individual performers including the Rivermill Chamber Players, Sean Hampton, and Bruce Kokko. He is also an active member of the Society of Composers Inc. (SCI).
Adam has been married to Tiffany Betz since 2003. They have one daughter, Isabella, who is five years old, and are expecting their second child in the Fall of 2011.