Reid Contreras Woelfle

Reid Contreras Woelfle is a Canadian composer, percussionist and music educator. He has worked across Canada with various ensembles and artists to perform and create new works. Reid continually experiments with blending different musical styles and techniques, and he is always striving to create music that is both technically complex and emotionally compelling.

Reid’s journey as a composer began at an early age taking piano lessons and writing short solo pieces. In high school, he was composing, arranging and directing for his high school drumline and pep band. Most recently his artistic practice was recognized by MacEwan University in awarding Reid the Wind Energy Commission Award in Music Composition.

Reid holds a bachelor's degree in music from MacEwan University, specializing in composition and education. During his formal studies, Reid had the opportunity to mentor under composers Emilie LeBel, Allan Gilliland and Kent Sangster. In his final year studying, Reid composed Dynamic as Samba and Pigeon Hopping for The MacEwan Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Daniel Akira Stadnicki and Dave Laing. Both compositions were performed at the 2023 MacEwan Percussion Ensemble Concert.

Reid has attended many composition workshops across Canada and Europe, and received mentorship from several unique and innovative composers, including Víctor Báez, Matthias McIntire, Roydon Tse, Dinuk Wijeratne, Amy Brandon, Allison Cameron, Bruce A. Russell, India Gailey and Rita Ueda. While many of Reid’s recent works have been compositions within the realm of contemporary new music, he has also composed music commissioned by River City Big Band and various school drumlines in the greater Edmonton area. Other recent highlights include his work as an orchestrator for CBC’s documentary The Nature of Things: Singing Back the Buffalo.

Reid’s recent compositional journeys have been driven by a fascination with subtle sounds, variances in color, and the fluidity of unfolding harmonies. When his music is performed, his hope is that both the audience and musicians can engage in an impactful connection and experience.