J. Anthony Allen: Composer, Producer, Educator, Inventor, and Occasional Arctic Adventurer
Have you ever met someone who has written orchestral scores, produced a flurry of pop and dance tracks, taught how to make electronic music (and somehow has over a million students) invented new instruments, started multiple companies, and then casually mentioned they’ve sailed the high arctic – twice? Well, say hello to Dr. J. Anthony Allen, the guy who does it all and then some.
Born in Michigan and now calling Minneapolis home, Allen is a creator of, well, pretty much everything. Music? Check. Businesses? You bet. Apps? Why not? New electronic instruments? Absolutely. Ideas for his next big adventure? Always.
Allen’s music has been jet-setting more than most people’s passports, popping up all over Europe, North America, Asia, and more. He’s written music for almost any medium you can think of – from the Minnesota Orchestra to that catchy jingle you heard on Netflix.
But here’s the thing: Allen isn’t content with just creating. He’s all about shaking things up and changing the world. He’s on a mission to revolutionize music education and redefine what it means to be a musician in the 21st century.
Take Slam Academy, for instance. Allen founded this electronic music school in Minneapolis back in 2011 because he wanted to make learning about electronic music production accessible and affordable. Slam Academy grew to four locations before Allen exited the company in 2023. His passion for disrupting the education industry was further on display in 2024 when he became briefly internet famous for receiving tenure at his university and quitting his university job – on the same day.
When it comes to his compositions, Allen is a musical magpie, picking up shiny bits and pieces from all sorts of musical communities and weaving them into something uniquely his. “Lately, I like to write acoustic music inspired by dance music, and dance music inspired by acoustic music.” He’s all about connecting the dots and using his expertise in one area to supercharge another.
So, what exactly does J. Anthony Allen do? Brace yourself: He’s a composer, producer, songwriter, engineer, sound designer, DJ, remix artist, programmer, multimedia artist, performer, inventor, educator, Ableton Live Certified Trainer, entrepreneur, a “retired” tenured professor of music, and oh yeah, faculty at the Alba Music Composition Festival in Alba, Italy. You can find his music on all the usual suspects – Amazon, Apple, Spotify – you name it.
He has numerous degrees: a PhD in Music Composition (with a side of Visual Arts) from the University of Minnesota, two Master’s degrees from the Peabody Conservatory (Composition and Electronic Music), and a BA in Music from Grand Valley State University. He’s even studied at the ultra-fancy-sounding Centre de Création of Music Iannis Xenakis (CCMIX) in Paris, Ooh la la!
The accolades? They just keep rolling in. The Minneapolis Star Tribune called Allen a “Mover and Shaker,” which is pretty spot-on considering he’s always on the lookout for the next big thing. He’s shown up at more conferences than a motivational speaker: International Computer Music Conferences, SEAMUS, Electronic Music Midwest festivals, Spark Festivals, MATA, June in Buffalo Festival, Aspen Music Festival – the list goes on. He’s also got a few awards. Like the Susan and Ford Schumann Award (twice!), the Prix D’Ete Award, Macht Orchestral Prize, SCI/ASCAP Student Commission Prize, The Minnesota Cup (Entrepreneurship award), and a bunch of grants from a bunch of different organizations across the world. Oh, and he was the first-ever recipient of the Young Alumni Award from his alma mater, Grand Valley State University. (That one made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.)
But here’s the kicker: This guy once spent a significant amount of time on a ship, sailing the Arctic Ocean around Svalbard, composing music in the “midnight sun” (nonstop sunlight). Because apparently, regular composing just wasn’t challenging enough.
In essence, J. Anthony Allen is a creator of many things, a connector of even more, and an adventurer at heart. He creates music that pushes boundaries, classes that open minds, and communities that foster creativity. Whether he’s organizing, arranging, studying, teaching, coding, revising, collaborating, or performing, Allen is always up for the next big challenge.
Short Version (250 words)
Meet Dr. J. Anthony Allen, a musical polymath who defies easy categorization. This Michigan-born, Minneapolis-based creator has penned orchestral scores, produced popular dance tracks, and taught electronic music to over a million students worldwide. Oh, and he’s sailed the high Arctic – twice.
Allen’s musical footprint spans continents, with compositions performed across Europe, North America, and Asia. From the Minnesota Orchestra to Netflix jingles, his work knows no bounds. But Allen isn’t content with just creating; he’s on a mission to revolutionize music education for the 21st century.
In 2011, he founded Slam Academy, an electronic music school aimed at making production accessible and affordable. His disruptive spirit was further showcased in 2024 when he famously received tenure and quit his university job on the same day.
As a composer, Allen is a musical magpie, weaving diverse influences into unique sonic tapestries. Lately his favorite thing is writing “acoustic music inspired by dance music, and dance music inspired by acoustic music.”
With a Ph.D. in Music Composition, multiple master’s degrees, and a slew of awards, Allen’s credentials are as impressive as his creativity. The Minneapolis Star Tribune dubbed him a “Mover and Shaker,” a fitting title for someone always seeking the next big challenge – be it in music, education, or Arctic exploration.
J. Anthony Allen: composer, producer, educator, inventor, entrepreneur, and proof that creativity knows no bounds.
Mini Version (100 words)
Dr. J. Anthony Allen is a musical renaissance man who’s written music for orchestras, produced chart-topping tracks, and taught electronic music to over a million students globally. This Michigan-born, Minneapolis-based creator founded Slam Academy, and several other education-disrupting companies. With a Ph.D. in Music Composition and multiple awards, Allen’s work spans continents and genres. He’s equally at home writing orchestral scores or crafting Netflix jingles. When not pushing musical boundaries, you might find Allen sailing the Arctic, composing under the midnight sun – because regular adventures aren’t enough for this musical polymath.
