Bio
Greg Karnilaw is a classically trained Composer, Guitarist, Singer/Songwriter, Performer, Filmmaker, Writer, and Producer. In 2020, he produced and directed, Nature We & I, a one man musical performance work, and he also produced and directed Mokusō II, an experimental short film.
In 2018, Greg co-produced PLAY/PRACTICE, a wordless film with live music. Play/Practice premiered at Anthologies Film Archives in NYC. Greg also composed the score for, four of the films, one of which being PRACTICE which he created, and co-directed. In 2017 he released his first CD Moments of Solitude, a collection of solo works for flute, bass clarinet, piano, violin, cello, and electric guitar.
As the Composer and Librettist, Greg’s opera, To Triumph premiered at American Opera Projects and First Chance Series in 2002. In 2003, his Three For Two - music for Harp and Percussion was premiered by members of Yo-Yo Ma's, The Silk Road Ensemble, at the New Hampshire Lake Winnipisakee Music Festival. Greg’s Five Impressions for Piano was featured at the Flea NYC in 2002.
Greg Karnilaw performs original solo, electric guitar compositions using a two handed percussive tapping technique. In August of 2005, he won the Manhattan Sam Ash guitarist of the month competition. He has performed at CB’s Gallery, The Juilliard School and other NYC locations.
Greg has studied composition with Dr. Andrew Thomas, the former head of the pre-college program at Juilliard, John Corigliano, and David Maslanka. Greg is a graduate cum laude of CUNY’s 802 music program. While studying voice at Lehman College, Mr. Karnilaw was a two time recipient of the Emile Anders Choir Award. He has also received a Meet the Composer Grant.
Greg lives with his wife and their two children on the UWS of Manhattan. When he's not writing or performing, he works as a private chef, and a Seido Karate Instructor. Greg is a a 6th Degree Black Belt, an avid cyclist, bird watcher and he hand carves wooden spoons.