Meet Christopher Jessup | Composer & Pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Jessup and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe risk taking is the key to being a successful artist. Playing it safe is the worst thing you can do as an artist – the best art comes out of trial and error. I have always been an an ambitious individual who is not afraid to take risks, and this has served me well as both a composer and a performer. I always grow and learn the most when I go for it and don’t hold back.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a composer and pianist based in New York City. I studied both composition and piano at The Juilliard School. My music has been performed and recorded by the likes of the London Symphony Orchestra, the Brno Contemporary Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, GRAMMY® Award-winning choir The Crossing, the Kühn Choir of Prague, the National Sawdust Ensemble, GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko, flutist Lindsey Goodman, and countless others. I’ve performed nearly a dozen times at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and I’ve also received recognition from ASCAP, the American Prize, the Respighi Prize, and National Sawdust. I’m most excited about a new project I have in the works with The Crossing, one of the world’s most esteemed choirs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
New York City is a treasure trove of fascinating places to visit. One of my favorite spots in the city is the Morgan Library & Museum, an iconic and historic place with an extensive collection of beautiful artwork. As far as places to eat go, you could eat out for every meal and never eat at all the restaurants in the city! My favorite place to grab a bite to eat is definitely Nobu, as I’m a huge fan of sushi. The restaurant has a sleek, modern vibe and the food is always top notch. The city also has no shortage of amazing concerts to attend. In my opinion, one of the best places to catch a great concert is Carnegie Hall. Whether it’s a full orchestra concert or an intimate chamber music performance, concerts at Carnegie Hall never disappoint!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I received formative mentorship from my professors at Juilliard, specifically my composition teacher Melinda Wagner. She helped me hone my skills as an artist and gave me the tools necessary to become a successful composer. Not only was she a thoughtful and passionate teacher, but her amazing music has been a major source of inspiration for me. Therefore, I dedicate this shoutout to her!

Website: https://christopherjessup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristopherjessup/

Twitter: https://x.com/cjmusic123

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/christopherjessup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechristopherjessup/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Awesomecomposer