Henco Espag

Henco Espag is a South African–born composer, pianist, orchestrator, conductor, and music director whose work spans concert music, theatre, and film. He holds a B.Mus in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music, where he received the Georges Delerue Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Film Scoring, and an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from New York University. He is also a two-time recipient of the South African National Arts Council bursary. As a film composer, orchestrator, and sound designer, Henco’s credits include The Runner from Ravenshead (Little Crew Productions) and the ASL queer musical short Disconnected, created with writer and director Dickie Hearts. His music has been performed internationally, including appearances at the World Choir Games in Xiamen, China, and the National ATKV Choir Competition in Cape Town, South Africa. Henco’s piano works—Herinneringe, Mistieke Feetjies, and the forthcoming Spaanse Kerjakker en Rinkink—have been premiered and recorded by Yamaha Artist James Adler on award-winning Albany Records releases. With collaborators Briana Harris and Andi Lee Carter, he is developing the new musicals Pompeii Rising and Tyromancy: Live. An active music director, he develops new musicals in New York City and previously served as Resident Music Director at Surflight Theatre. He served as Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Freedom Band and is currently the Artistic Director of the Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Bands. He also serves as Music Director of Judson Memorial Church and as a member of the music faculty at Saint Peter’s University. Henco lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Saul, is an avid traveler, collector of colourful shoes, LEGO fanatic, and celebrates life in full colour, sparkles, and sequins.