Bio

Kurt is an award-winning composer, lyricist, filmmaker, and theatre-maker. There is no doubt that his many years spent songwriting, composing music, and acting helped Kurt launch his career in film and musical theatre.


Kurt formed his love for music at a very young age. Through his upbringing, he was exposed to a variety of musical genres which included Pop, Rock & Roll, Classical, and songs from Musical Theater’s Golden Age – especially, My Fair Lady. Kurt remembers helping his mom prepare supper as they both sang along with the beautiful soundtrack. Immersed in a household full of music, Kurt taught himself how to play the piano at age 12, composed a piece for his grade school orchestra, and started writing songs, with lyrics, in high school. Kurt’s songwriting was heavily influenced by the music of the 60’s and 70’s including The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Elton John, and David Bowie.

As Kurt continued to hone his craft, one song in particular was to have a profound impact on the direction of his songwriting and compositions. That song was “Harry’s Game”, by Ireland’s own CLANNAD. After hearing that song, Kurt wholeheartedly embraced Celtic Music and he’s been writing Scottish/Irish-inspired music for well over 25 years. Kurt has said his mission is to bring back melodies to music. In a recent interview he said that, “Each piece of my music conveys a different emotion, thought, or message. I want to compose melodies that touch people and are memorable”.


Kurt’s music ultimately led him to filmmaking. He realized, early on, that the best way to get his music out into the musical sphere was to take his songs and produce music short films based on his tunes. His first film was Highland Home, based on the song of the same name. The film went on to win 54 awards/mentions, as it traveled around the international film festival circuit.

In a recent interview Kurt said that, “Each piece of my music conveys a different emotion, thought, or message. I want to compose melodies that touch people and are memorable”. His music ultimately led him to filmmaking. He realized, early on, that the best way to get his music out into the musical sphere was to take his songs and produce music short films based on his tunes. His first film was Highland Home, based on the song of the same name. The film went on to win 54 awards/mentions, as it traveled around the international film festival circuit.

Kurt attributes his ongoing success to his USA and international collaborations, with the world’s best in music, film, and theatre. Tim Gorman, composer, producer and former keyboardist for The Who, orchestrated Highland Home, The Moon Followed Me to Falmouth, Return to Skye, Strolling Down Brighton Pier, The Wish I Made, A Heart Drifts Away, Runway 9, and Scottish Lullaby.  Looking across “The Pond”, Kurt teamed up with Jake and Luke Morgan, of Morgan Brothers (Galway, Ireland), on the production, and orchestration, of two cinematic music shorts, Dawn at Gougane Barra and Call of Inishmore. Morgan Brothers also helped produce the early staging of Kurt’s new musical, For the Lack of Laura, in Galway, Great Malvern, and London. In addition, Morgan Brothers, Armada (animation studio – Nashville, TN), and Kurt’s USA-based team produced a new animated short film, The High King's Daughter.


Kurt has worked with internationally renowned ensembles including The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (London, England), The WJM Palmer Orchestra (Dublin, Ireland), Hertfordshire Chorus (England), and the  Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Vancouver, WA, USA).


Kurt is a member of the Dramatists Guild (USA), an Associate Member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (USA), a Limited Member of the Society of Composers and Lyricists (USA), and is a Patron of the Entertainment Community Fund (New York, NY). He is also a member of the Musical Theatre Network (UK), Mercury Musical Developments (UK), the Royal Court Theatre’s Writers’ Card Programme (UK), and the London Arts Club.


With his music short films, Strolling Down Brighton Pier and The High King’s Daughter screening on the international film festival circuit, and the ongoing development of Kurt’s For the Lack of Laura musical, please visit often for more exciting news and updates!