Jonah Elrod is a composer whose works are inspired by and engage with issues surrounding our environment and human perception of the natural world. He often utilizes data collected from cycles and signals from the earth and incorporates them into his music. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at Grand Rapids Community College where he teaches music theory and composition. Previously he has served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Valparaiso University, UNC Charlotte, and Luther College.   Dr. Elrod’s musical compositions have been performed around the United States and internationally in England, Germany, Greece, and Ecuador. His music has been featured at many new music festivals including the MUSLAB Electroacoustic International Exhibition, CAMPGround International New Music Festival, the Ball State University New Music Festival, the Texas New Music Festival, the Society of Composers Inc. National Conference, the John Donald Robb Composers Symposium, the Association for Body Mapping Education International Conference, the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival (NYCEMF), the Earth Day Art Model hosted by IUPUI, the New Music on the Bayou Festival, the New Music Gathering, the Hot Air Music Festival, the TUTTI Festival, Click Fest at Ohio University, the Central Washington University New Music Festival, and the New Gallery Series in Cambridge, MA. Jonah holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Composition from the University of Iowa where he studied under composers David Gompper, Lawrence Fritts, and Josh Levine. While a graduate student at the University of Iowa, he spent two years serving as an associate director of the electronic music studios. In 2013 he earned his Master of Music degree in Music Theory & Composition from the University of New Mexico where he studied with composers Chris Shultis, Richard Hermann, Karola Obermüller, Peter Gilbert, and José-Luis Hurtado Ruelas. He also holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of Arizona.  Dr. Elrod currently serves as the Chair of the Iowa Composers Forum, and is a member of the Society of Composers, Inc., the National Association of Composers USA, the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS), The Society of Music Theory, and the College Music Society.  Degrees and Certifications Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Music Composition Master of Music (MM) in Music Theory and Composition Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Education