Biography
Mutually interested in exploring a wide range of contemporary genres, Noa Even and Stephen Klunk formed Patchwork, a Cleveland-based saxophone and drum set duo that collaborates with composers to build an eclectic body of new music for their unique instrumentation. The duo has been described as demonstrating "astonishingly tight ensemble" (Mike Telin, ClevelandClassical.com) and "creating the effect of a hybrid solo instrument" (Jason Charney, I Care if You Listen). Since forming the group in 2013, Noa and Stephen have enjoyed the process of working with Osnat Netzer, Erin Rogers, Hong-Da Chin, Jonn Sokol, Eric Wubbels, Nick Didkovsky, Charlie Wilmoth, Dan Tramte, and other composers whose music reflects diverse influences and styles.
Patchwork has appeared on many college campuses, such as Peabody Conservatory, Ball State University, College-Conservatory of Music (University of Cincinnati), Washington University, and Kenyon College, where they frequently combine performances with composer readings, master classes, and presentations. Noa and Stephen primarily perform in the Rust Belt region, but have also brought their music to audiences in Toronto, Chicago, Boston, New York City, and Omaha. In August 2017, they were in residence at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute to collaborate with composer Hong-Da Chin on a new work.
Noa Even is a Cleveland-based saxophonist dedicated to sparking deeper interest in the arts of today through the performance of contemporary music. She is a co-founder and the Executive Director of Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project, a non-profit organization aimed at strengthening the artistic engagement of the Northeast Ohio community by championing the creation and performance of new music. Her duos, Ogni Suono and Patchwork, collaborate regularly with composers and provide educational experiences for students of all ages. They have been featured as guest artists at many notable festivals and concert series, including the Singapore Saxophone Symposium, Bowling Green New Music Festival, NEOSonicFest, Omaha Under the Radar, SEAMUS, Outpost Series, Permutations, and Frequency Series. Noa has also presented numerous master classes and clinics at schools across the country and abroad. She teaches at Kent State University and holds a DMA in contemporary music from Bowling Green State University. Noa is a Conn-Selmer and Vandoren artist.
Stephen Klunk is a percussionist and educator based in Northeast Ohio. His performance credits span a range of styles, including contemporary art music, orchestral percussion, and rock and metal drumming. Patchwork, Stephen’s saxophone and drum set duo, has commissioned new works from over a dozen composers, including Eric Wubbels, Osnat Netzer, Dan Tramte, and Nick Didkovsky. Formed in 2013, Patchwork has appeared in St. Louis, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New York, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toronto, and at music schools across the Midwest and Northeastern United States. Stephen holds a master's degree from Bowling Green State University, where he studied with Roger Schupp. He has participated in master classes and taken lessons with accomplished artists Bill Bachman, Travis Orbin, Casey Cangelosi, Michael Burritt, Kevin Bobo, Aiyun Huang, Naoko Takada, and the world famous percussion group, NEXUS.