Kaleb Rhea (b. 1996) is an American composer whose work explores the intersection of narrative, data, and musical structure. His music engages extra-musical ideas, translating complex systems into expressive sonic experiences. Rhea’s recent work centers on sonification, particularly the use of parameter-mapping techniques to transform narrative and incomplete datasets into musical form. 

Rhea’s early musical experiences were shaped by his grandmother, whose piano playing introduced him to a wide range of repertoire, from children’s songs to hymns and church music. Inspired by these early encounters, he began playing trumpet in sixth grade and quickly developed an interest in a variety of genres, including jazz. Through improvisation, he discovered a natural inclination toward musical creativity. This interest eventually led him to composition in high school. His earliest compositional work involved arranging video game music for friends, which soon evolved into creating original compositions. This exploratory, intuitive approach to music-making continues to inform his creative practice.

Rhea pursued formal study in composition at Illinois College, where he studied with Timothy Kramer, who introduced him to a broad range of repertoire. During this time, he studied abroad in Heidelberg, Germany, where he deepened his engagement with orchestral music through concert attendance, score study, and orchestration. He later earned a Master of Music in composition from Western Illinois University, studying with James Romig and Hong-da Chin, and completed a Doctor of Arts in Music Theory and Composition at Ball State University in 2025. 

At Ball State, he studied with Amelia Kaplan, Chin-Ting (Patrick) Chan, and Eleanor Trawick. He also completed a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies in Music. During this time, his work began to coalesce around an approach that balances surface-level unpredictability with underlying structural coherence. Drawing on narrative principles, his music unfolds in ways that can feel spontaneous or story-like to the listener, while remaining grounded in carefully constructed formal processes. This period marked the development of his current artistic voice.

In addition to his compositional activities, Rhea is an active educator, teaching composition, music theory, and songwriting at Indiana University East. Additionally, he engages a broader audience through his YouTube channel (@kalebrhea), where he discusses award-winning contemporary music and advocates for greater appreciation of recent composers. Recordings of his work are available at soundcloud.com/kaleb-rhea and on his YouTube Channel.

Kaleb Rhea (b. 1996) is an American composer whose work explores the intersection of narrative, data, and musical structure, with a recent focus on sonification. His music often engages with extra-musical ideas, transforming complex systems into expressive musical forms.

Rhea holds degrees from Illinois College, Western Illinois University, and Ball State University. His principal teachers include Timothy Kramer, James Romig, Amelia Kaplan, and Chin-Ting (Patrick) Chan, whose combined influence shaped his approach to both acoustic and electroacoustic composition.

In addition to his creative work, Rhea is an active educator, teaching composition, music theory, and songwriting at Indiana University East. He also engages a broader audience through his YouTube channel (@kalebrhea), where he discusses award-winning contemporary music and advocates for greater appreciation of recent composers. Recordings of his work are available at soundcloud.com/kaleb-rhea and on his YouTube Channel.