Kaleb Rhea (b. 1996) first became interested in music because his grandmother played piano throughout his childhood. She would play all kinds of music from children's songs to hymns and other church music. Kaleb knew that he wanted to play an instrument, so in 6th grade he picked up the family trumpet and learned quickly. He was encouraged to explore all genres of music including jazz. Once he learned how to improvise, he instinctively was drawn to the creative potential; however, it wouldn't be till high school before Kaleb knew he wanted to compose.

Composition started by Kaleb making some simple arrangements of video game music for a group of friends. Soon he started to explore combining elements from different songs and eventually, he started making up his own music. 

Kaleb went to Illinois College to foster his desire to write music and develop his voice. Dr. Timothy Kramer personally oversaw his growth and helped to broaden his knowledge, introducing him to Hindemith and Shostakovitch among many others. While at Illinois College, Kaleb took a semester to study abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. While overseas, Kaleb focused on orchestral writing by going to many orchestra concerts, score studying, and orchestrating a piano piece he had written the previous year. 

After Illinois College, Kaleb went to study at Western Illinois University. He studied with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Dr. James Romig and electro-acoustic specialist Dr. Hong-da Chin. He received his Master's of Music in composition in May 2020.

In 2025, Kaleb completed a D.A. for Music Theory and Composition with a minor in Entreprenurial Studies in Music at Ball State University. He has studied composition with Dr. Chin-Ting Chan, Dr. Amelia Kaplan, and Dr. Eleanor Trawick. His most recent compositions explores the modes of various scales combined with quintal harmonies. Kaleb is also teaching composition, music theory, and songwriting at Indiana University East. He also has a YouTube channel that discusses award winning music, @kalebrhea.

  Check out his soundcloud at soundcloud.com/kaleb-rhea

Kaleb Rhea (b. 1996) went to Illinois College to develop his voice. Dr. Timothy Kramer personally oversaw his growth and helped to broaden his knowledge, by introducing him to composers like Hindemith and Shostakovich. While at Illinois College, Kaleb took a semester to study abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. While overseas, Kaleb focused on orchestral writing by going to many orchestra concerts, score studying, and orchestrating a piano piece he had written the previous year. After receiving his Bachelor's of Arts in Music from Illinois College in May 2018, Kaleb went to study at Western Illinois University. He studied with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Dr. James Romig and electro-acoustic specialist Dr. Hong-da Chin. He received his Master's of Music in composition in May 2020. Kaleb completed a D.A. in Music Theory and Composition at Ball State University in 2025. He teaches composition, music theory, and songwriting at Indiana University East. He also has a YouTube channel that discusses award winning music, @kalebrhea. Check out his soundcloud at soundcloud.com/kaleb-rhea