Kori Coleman and D-Composed showcasing Black classical music — and musicians — in Chicago and beyond

Orchestrating a New Vision: How Kori Coleman's Marketing Savvy is Revolutionizing Chicago's Classical Scene

Kori Coleman, the artistic director of D-Composed, a Black chamber-music collective, is challenging the traditional approach to classical music leadership. As a marketing and advertising professional, she is bringing a fresh perspective to the ensemble, ensuring that its Black musicians have a strong voice in all creative decisions. Driven by a desire to see greater diversity and representation in the classical music world, Coleman is transforming the way D-Composed engages with its audience and the broader community.

Redefining Leadership: From Musician to Artistic Instigator

Kori Coleman's path to leading D-Composed is unconventional. As a teenager, she abandoned the violin and oboe, feeling culturally isolated and excluded from the classical music world. However, her passion for the art form never waned. Instead, she found a new way to contribute, leveraging her marketing and business acumen to create a unique leadership role.Coleman, a Waukegan native, serves as both the artistic director and executive director of D-Composed, Chicago's only all-Black classical ensemble. Unlike traditional artistic directors, she is not a musician herself, but rather an "artistic instigator and connector," ensuring that the core members of the ensemble are co-artistic directors, actively shaping the collective's creative decisions.

Bridging the Gap: Applying Marketing Strategies to the Performing Arts

Coleman's professional experience in the consumer-driven realm of marketing and advertising has had a profound impact on her approach to leading D-Composed. She believes that the performing arts industry can benefit from adopting an "audience-centric approach," a philosophy she has seamlessly integrated into the collective's programming and outreach efforts."It's been fun to weave the two worlds together," Coleman said. "I would say that is the biggest area of opportunity within the performing arts is really applying that audience-centric approach. I think D-Composed — we do that well as a team."This innovative perspective has allowed D-Composed to develop a diverse range of programs that cater to the needs and interests of its audience, from initiatives focused on children, literature, and mental health and wellness, to collaborations with poets, artists, dancers, and even meditation practitioners.

Making a Mark: D-Composed's Debut at the Harris Theater

One of the ensemble's most high-profile outings to date will be the Chicago premiere of "Robeson," a hybrid work focused on the 20th-century singer, actor, and activist Paul Robeson. Scheduled for October 1st at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, this performance marks a significant milestone for D-Composed, as it will be the collective's debut at this prestigious venue."It's a big deal for us and we're pretty excited about it," Coleman said, reflecting the ensemble's enthusiasm and determination to make their mark on the classical music scene.

Inspired by a Lack of Representation

The genesis of D-Composed can be traced back to Coleman's own experiences as a young classical music enthusiast. Disappointed by the lack of diversity and representation she encountered in the music world, she decided to take action."I realized I probably wasn't the only one that felt that way," she said. "I decided to just go on the internet, and I started researching Black musicians in Chicago, and I came across yelley taylor, who was our former artistic director and violist."Together, Coleman and Taylor founded D-Composed in 2017, with Coleman providing the marketing and business acumen, and Taylor assembling the original ensemble and programming. The collective's mission is to give Black music and musicians a regular presence on the Chicago classical scene and beyond.

Expanding Horizons: D-Composed's Global Ambitions

D-Composed's aspirations extend beyond the borders of Chicago. In November, the ensemble will make its first international trip, venturing to São Paulo, Brazil, for a collaboration with classical guitarist Plínio Fernandes, who combines the genre with the country's folk traditions."While we have big dreams and aspirations," Coleman said, "I think it's important for us to have a consistent presence in our community. You'll always be able to find us in Chicago."This balance between local engagement and global ambition reflects D-Composed's commitment to uplifting Black music and musicians, both in its hometown and on the world stage.