Education
Keller later studied Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music under the tutelage of Pinar Toprak.
Keller later studied Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music under the tutelage of Pinar Toprak.
As a composition student, Keller composed ballet scores and chamber music, including a string quartet premiered by the Kronos Quartet at the 1986 Festival of New American Music. Keller"s first solo recording "The Mask of Memory" (1994) came to the attention of radio producer Stephen Hill, who included several tracks on a Hearts of Space program titled "Digital Planet" in 1995. This was followed by a Living Room Concert and feature on Echoes, whose host John Diliberto named Keller"s second Civil Defense "Intermezzo" as one of the Top 25 records of 1996.
Since that time, Keller has released 6 full-length recordings and several EPs and compilations, working with musicians such as cellist David Darling, guitarist Jeff Pearce and Keller"s own chamber ensemble of strings, woodwinds, percussion, and piano.
Keller currently resides in New York City, where he composes music for choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden, Elisa Monte, Amy Marshall, and Ray Sullivan. Keller"s works are administered by BMI. Keller"s only collection of solo piano music, titled "Nocturnes", was composed during the 2013 RPM Challenge.
In late 2014, Keller announced that he was beginning a new project, again working with producer Russel Walder. Keller described the inspiration for this project as coming from a "desire to shake things up, and to make music that is more exciting, more "in your face".
Following this announcement, Keller shared several blog posts documenting the creative process, with the final entry dated January 31, 2015.
Two months later, a Kickstarter project was announced, with the goal of raising funds to hire a mixing engineer The project was a resounding success, raising 258% of its goal amount, allowing Keller to hire the Salomé Chamber Orchestra, and Grammy-winning engineer Robert L. Smith. The album also includes guest musicians David Helpling (guitar) and Marta Karamuz (vocals).
"" was released on October 16, 2015.
Critics have praised "" as "a brilliantly theatric cinematic soundtrack..every track a thrilling narrative" (RJ Lannan/ZMR), and "a sweeping work of modern day classicism merging with electronic rhythms and a cinematic expanse." (John Diliberto/Echoes).