Jessica MacIsaac

Jessica MacIsaac (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist from Mi’gma’gi (Nova Scotia), Canada. Their work focuses on the sonic expression of emotions and memory, exploring their fascination with how artists’s meanings and intentions are received and interpreted by an audience, especially in the absence of words and formal language.

Jessica’s music is inspired by early years involved in theatre and dance, as well as a love for film scores. They have had the privilege to work with ensembles such at the Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, Trio Immersio, the Maritime Brass Quintet, the Quasar Saxophone Quartet, and Quartetto Indaco. They are a two-time recipient of the Kenneth Elloway Award for exceptional potential in composition, as well as multiple scholarships from the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, Fountain School of Performing Arts, and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Upcoming projects include collaborations with the RCS Brass Department as their composer in residence, and attending the composers institute for the Winnipeg New Music Festival (2023).

Jessica holds a BMus with a minor in Journalism Studies from Dalhousie University (CAN). They currently live in Glasgow, pursuing a MMus in composition at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (UK).

Image: Julia Dunn