09/03/2026
We are so excited to introduce our NEW INTERN Ben Dunham. Support by Peabody Conservatory’s Launch Pad Program, we can’t wait to work with this excellent composer, vibraphonist, and improviser for the next year. Please join us in welcoming Ben to the iQ fam, and read more about him below!
Ben Dunham strives to integrate his worlds of jazz and contemporary music with an improvisatory flair and freedom, capturing the unique personal connection found only in music. His style, constantly evolving, reflects both contemporary trends and personal anecdotes that motivate him in his musical journey. Growing up as a classical bassoonist and picking up jazz vibraphone (because there were too many percussionists at his middle school), Ben was always fascinated with how these worlds intersect, especially after being told that they couldn’t for years. This rejection led Ben to the world of composition, where he could create the music he heard, and use his unique voice to bond with the audience and community. This cross-pollination of genres has influenced his process of creation (whether it be composition or performance) and collaboration.
Dunham’s awards and recognitions include an Emerging Composer recognition in the Young Composer Competition from Tribeca New Music (2024), two DownBeat Student Awards (2021), and runner-up placement in the jazz category for the Vibraphone Project (2025). He is currently attending the Peabody Conservatory where he studies with Dr. Felipe Lara and holds a B.M. in Composition from the Frost School of Music, where he studied under Dr. Donald Scott Stinson.
