Ethan Jankowski is an emerging American composer, conductor, and vocalist, whose deliberate, concept-driven music navigates the intersections between the tangible and the abstract, infusing each composition with a unique narrative depth. Ethan's early ambition was to become a writer, and his passion for storytelling now shines in his music, where he channels his literary instincts into sound. Through explorations of art, the human condition, and metaphysical themes, Ethan crafts intricate musical narratives that invite reflection and evoke a sense of wonder and introspection.

A recent commission, Peripeteia for solo alto saxophone, premiered in February at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with saxophonist Emily McGovern. The work, characterized by its expressive range and thought-provoking inspired text, is a deeply personal & resonant piece of music that means to leave a lasting impression on audiences and performers alike. His recent work, Snapdragons, composed for the Dior Quartet and presented at the Mostly Modern Festival, showcases a colorful approach to the string quartet that explores form, texture, and the interplay of instrumental timbres to create immersive soundscapes. It was recently re-premiered under its new title by Ezra Shcolnik, Anthony Poon, Aliza Creel, and Isabelle Nichols at The Juilliard School.

Ethan has had the honor to be selected as a composer for esteemed summer festivals such as the Mostly Modern Festival and Atlantic Music Festival, as well as being the two-time recipient of the first prize Selection for Original Classical Work from the Middlewestern Voice. Ethan’s works have been performed by a variety of ensembles and artists, including the Dior Quartet, Shi-An Costello, Missing Piece, the University of Texas Permian-Basin Orchestra, the Fullerton Four, Jennie Oh Brown, members of Picosa, and the Lucerna Quartet in London, expanding his reach across the U.S. and internationally.

A native of Chicago's suburbs, Ethan now resides in New York City, becoming an active member of the New Music arena. He has had the honor of studying with composers such as Valerie Coleman, David Ludwig, and Amy Beth Kirsten at The Juilliard School since his relocation. Prior to this, at Elmhurst University, he studied with composers John Dorhauer, Dr. David DeVasto, and Dr. Mark Harbold.

Jankowski’s conducting experience is equally impressive, having studied with the legendary Maestro Donald Portnoy as an Associate Conductor at the Conductors Institute of South Carolina and participating in the Cascade Conducting Masterclass under Maestra Sarah Ioannides. Additionally, Ethan was invited by Maestro Taka Matsunaga - founder and director of the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra - to join their Young Conductors’ Workshop, where he conducted at the Illinois Music Education Conference in 2022.

Beyond music, Ethan is an avid hiker, biker, and traveler, working toward his goal of exploring all U.S. national parks. He fondly recalls his time studying abroad in New Zealand, especially his encounters with the local cats, a long-standing love that began with the three he grew up with. A classically trained vocalist and novice woodwind player, Ethan brings humor and humility to his personal journey, proudly holding fourth place in his fifth-grade spelling bee and a runner-up trophy from his K-12 karate class sparring tournament—though fame from that victory was short-lived. Ethan now lives in Brooklyn, NY with his cat, Honey, enjoying the metropolitan hustle and bustle of the liveliest and most musical city in the world.