Kevin Fitzgerald
Founder and Music Director
A native of Brighton, MI, Kevin’s love for new music led him to create ÆPEX in 2015. Through ÆPEX, he has conducted numerous performances featuring works by Hans Abrahmasen, Augusta Read Thomas, Pierre Boulez, George Benjamin, Ashley Fure, Tyson Davis, Laura Kaminsky, Julia Perry, Stravinsky, and Messiaen. Kevin has premiered over a dozen works with ÆPEX, most recently Garrett Schuman’s percussion concerto This Could Be Madness with percussionist Cameron Leach at the first annual ÆPEX Fest in 2021. Based in Raleigh, NC, Kevin is Associate Conductor at the Jacksonville Symphony in Florida, and was a 2021 Tanglewood Music Center Conducting Fellow.
Griffin Candey
Executive Director
Griffin Candey is an American composer whose works have been praised for their "charming and elaborate complexity" and their "lyricism and emotional depth."
Recent outings include songs for soprano Tamara Wilson (Thundercloud Over Half Dome,) a TTBB song cycle (Protocol) for Cantus Vocal Ensemble, and a work (Kid Gloves) for saxophonist Timothy McAllister and pianist Liz Ames for their forthcoming album. Upcoming engagements include songs for mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor (Emitting Light,) a chamber cello concerto (Facsimile,) co-commissioned by New Music Detroit, Chicago's CHAI Collaborative Ensemble, and Sacramento's Citywater, a viola concerto (Plein Air) for the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra. Candey currently serves as composer-in-residence with Cleveland Opera Theatre, who will premiere his adaptation of Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba (with librettist Caridad Svich) in February 2021. His previous operas—especially Sweets by Kate—have been performed with theaters and universities across the country, including Boston University's 2017 Fringe Fest, Fort Worth Opera's Frontiers Festival, and at New York's iconic Stonewall Inn.
Candey is currently earning his DMA in Composition at the University of Michigan, studying with Dr. Kristin Kuster and Dr. Evan Chambers.
Board of Directors
President
Kevin Fitzgerald, (Raleigh, NC)
Vice President
Griffin Candey, (Ypsilanti, MI)
Treasurer
Adam Schumaker (Kalamazoo, MI)
Secretary
Spencer Arias (East Lansing, MI)
Officers
Bronwyn Hagerty (Ann Arbor, MI)