Badie Khaleghian is a dynamic composer and multimedia artist whose passion for collaborative and innovative storytelling projects ignites imaginations, conversations, and transformative experiences. With a keen interest in exploring the intersection of art, cultures, science, and technology, he creates performances that challenge boundaries and break new ground. His works have been featured at renowned festivals worldwide, including the Atemporanea Festival in Buenos Aires, the Korea Electro-Acoustic Music Society’s Annual Conference in Seoul, and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS). Khaleghian’s compositions have been performed by a range of ensembles, from the Crossing Borders and Hub New Music to the Talea Ensemble, Transient Canvas, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Currently pursuing a doctorate in composition at Rice University, Khaleghian is deeply committed to research, teaching, and composing. He draws inspiration from his diverse cultural background and a strong desire to connect people through the power of art. Whether collaborating with other artists or working solo, Khaleghian’s work is characterized by its bold experimentation, technical sophistication, and emotional depth. With his finger on the pulse of the latest artistic trends and technologies, Khaleghian is poised to make an indelible mark on the world of contemporary music and multimedia art. 

A native of Atlanta, GA, pianist Caroline Owen frequently performs as a soloist and collaborator. She has played in venues across the U.S. and in Europe, including the DiMenna Center for Classical Music (New York) and the Wiener Saal and Solitär at the Mozarteum (Salzburg). Owen was the winner of the Florida MTNA Young Artist Competition (2019) and a semifinalist in the 14th International Mozart Competition Salzburg (2020) and International Keyboard Odyssiad (2016). She also won the Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta Competition (2018), from which she received a scholarship to study at the Salzburg Mozarteum. Her 2023 calendar includes solo and collaborative performances across the U.S. and in the Czech Republic, including a return appearance with the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra for the premiere of a new work by composer Jamie Wehr.

Owen has participated in and performed at festivals including PianoFest in the Hamptons, Atlantic Music Festival’s Summer Piano Institute, the PianoTexas Young Artists Program, and the Prague Piano Festival. She has worked with distinguished artists and teachers such as Richard Goode, Pascal Rogé, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Jerome Lowenthal, and Ursula Oppens, among others.

In Spring 2022, Owen earned her Doctorate of Music degree in piano performance from Florida State University, where she studied with David Kalhous and was also an instructor of Group Piano. Her other primary teachers have included Liza Stepanova, Derek Parsons, and Jody Smith Parrish. Owen is currently based in Atlanta, where she serves as an Artist Affiliate at Emory University. Since Fall 2022, she has also been performing on tour as a member of the Astralis Chamber Ensemble, a dynamic ensemble that aims not only to support the development of the arts through new compositions but also to reach communities of all backgrounds through music. With a background in dance, she especially enjoys her ongoing multidisciplinary collaborations with Badie Khaleghian.