Bio

Deanna Rusnock completed both of her Masters Degrees at Arizona State University: a Masters in Music Composition, and a Masters in Jazz Piano Performance. A composer and multi-instrumentalist, Deanna has had pieces premiered both nationally and internationally; she was the composer for the musical “Digestive Quest!” which premiered in Arizona Summer of 2024, and Shanghai, China, in November 2024. Deanna won ASU’s Composition Competition for the 2021-2022 school year, has previously been runner-up in the 2020 Women’s Orchestra of Arizona Composition Competition and writes for a wide variety of ensembles. Deanna collaborated with Jennifer Koh and the ARCO Collaborative in their “Alone Together” concert series. From accordion, banjo, and bagpipes, to MIDI-based video game music, Deanna loves portraying stories and scenes through her music. She draws inspiration from 20th- and 21st-century composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich and Takashi Yoshimatsu, and aims to create music that is vibrant in color.

Deanna Rusnock, pianist, has been playing piano since the age of 6 and holds her Masters Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from Arizona State University. She has a wide breadth of experience with many genres and styles, playing works by J.S. Bach, Chopin, Beethoven, Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Kelly, and many others.

Deanna is co-founder, co-conductor, and the Director of Chamber for the People’s Community Orchestra of Tempe, established in 2021.