Robert Honstein

Celebrated for his “waves of colorful sounds” (New York Times) and “smart, appealing works” (The New Yorker), Robert Honstein (b. 1980) is a New York-based composer of orchestral, chamber, vocal, and film music. He was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Music at NYU Steinhardt in 2025 and holds degrees from Yale School of Music (MMA and DMA, Composition), University of Texas, Austin (MM, Composition), and Yale University (BA, Music).

Ensembles and performers that have commissioned Robert include the Albany Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Eighth Blackbird, Hub New Music, New Morse Code, The Living Earth Show, Ensemble Connect (Carnegie Hall), Mivos Quartet, No Exit New Music, Duo Vis, cellist Ashley Bathgate, pianist Karl Larson, and violinist Kate Stenberg. Prolific in the percussion world, he has collaborated with TIGUE, The Vibraphone Project, Arx Duo, The Up:Strike Project, Colin Currie, Doug Perkins, and Michael Burritt. His music has been programmed by the National Ballet of Canada, BalletCollective, and the Alberta, Cincinnati, and Orlando Ballets. Interdisciplinary collaborators include choreographer Omar Román De Jesús, photographer Chris McCaw, projection designer Hannah Wasileski, and graphic designer Laura Grey. With six complete albums and numerous compilations, his music has been released by Cedille, New Amsterdam, New Focus Recordings, Neuma, and Other Minds.

He previously served as Composition Faculty/Program Manager (2017-2022) and Program Director of Concert Composition (2022-2025) at NYU Steinhardt. Recent accolades include the Andrew Imbrie Award (2023) from the American Academy of Arts & Letters and an Emmy-nomination for his film score The Real Charlie Chaplin (2022). As an educator Robert teaches composition seminars and workshops around the globe, including residencies at University of Texas, Austin, Eastman School of Music, and Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. He has received funding from the Barlow Endowment and New Music USA, with fellowships at Copland House, MacDowell Colony, and Avaloch Farm.