Hailed as “innovative.. unique... an exceptionally gifted composer” by the Indie Film Music Contest, with a style compared to Stravinsky, Messiaen, and Arvo Pärt, Kiefer Bernard (b. 2007) received the top prizes for classical composition in the 2022 National Association for Music Educators student competition, the 2024 National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Composer (NJ), and the 2023 New Jersey PTA Reflections competitions. He has studied composition, theory, ear training, music production, and electroacoustical composition at Boston Conservatory of Berklee, Tanglewood Summer Institute (BUTI), and Juilliard Extension. He is a composition major at Mannes School of Music Preparatory Academy and studies composition privately with Meng Wang (DMA Cincinnati) and Max Grafe (DMA Juilliard). He lives in Montclair, New Jersey.
Composition Study and Related Coursework
· 2025-present Private Composition Study (Meng Wang, instructor)
· 2025 High School Composition Intensive (Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music)
· 2024-2025 Private Composition Study (Gity Razaz, instructor)
· 2024-present Composition Major, Mannes Prep, The New School, New York
· 2024 Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Electro-acoustical Composition Workshop
· 2022-present Private Composition Study (Max Grafe, instructor)
· 2022-2023 Juilliard Extension Courses (Music Theory I & II, Ear Training I)
· 2022 Private Composition Study (Amir Mortezai, instructor)
· 2020-2022 Group Composition Study (Samuel Iglesias, instructor)
· 2021 Interlochen Summer Online (Composition, Music Production)
Instrument Study and Performance
· 2022-present Essex Wind Ensemble (Clarinet)
· 2017-present Private Piano Study (Stephanie Leotsakos, instructor)
· 2021-2023 Buzz Aldrin Middle School – Concert Band (Clarinet)
· 2021-2023 Buzz Aldrin Middle School – Chorus (Bass)
· 2021-2022 Youth Orchestra of Essex County (Clarinet)
Awards and Honors
· 2025 Finalist, Ruth Crawford Seeger Prize, Elmhurst University
· 2024 New Jersey Federation of Music Clubs, Gold Cup Competition (Composition)
o Superior (top) rating for “Alone but not lonely (a dream)” (Violin & Cello duet)
· 2024 Finalist, Ruth Crawford Seeger Prize, Elmhurst University
· 2023 National PTA Reflections Arts Contest (NJ), Music Composition
o Award of Outstanding Interpretation (First Prize) for “Lost in a Forest” (Woodwind Quintet)
· 2022 National Association for Music Educators, Student Composition Competition
o First Prize, Middle School Division for “Battle Cry” (Voice and Piano)
o Piece performed in concert in Washington DC, November 2022
· 2021 NowBeat Project, Interlochen Music Academy
o Commissioned to write flute and clarinet duet; performed live in online concert