Connor Chee is an internationally renowned professional pianist and composer known for combining his classical piano training with his Navajo culture. In this interview with Jennifer Purdy, Connor shares the experiences that shaped his path toward a Carnegie Hall debut at age 12. We travel with Connor as he describes the journey of his musical compositions, describing their growth and evolution to incorporate Navajo heritage.

Connor will be presenting a keynote address and performance at Arts Express Summer Conference in June.

Connor’s Story

Childhood, Family, Education

Connor grew up in Page, Arizona and discovered his passion for piano at the young age of 6. His parents worked hard to help him find a good piano teacher, but after ten-year-old Connor was accepted into the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) after just four years of lessons, they decided to move their family to Cincinnati, Ohio where Connor could receive invaluable instruction from this world-class public K-12 arts school.

Connections to Navajo Culture and Traditions

Connor’s first musical influence came from the traditional Navajo music, dance, and chants shared by his grandfather. It wasn’t until Connor moved away that he realized how fortunate he had been to be so immersed in the culture, customs, and art of Native traditions. Eventually, when Connor finished his schooling, he knew he wanted to honor those traditions in his music and to preserve and share it with others who may not have the opportunity to experience that kind of music or culture.

Life as a Navajo in Cincinnati 

Connor reflects on his experience as a Native American, living in Ohio. As he interacted with others, he was shocked to see the lack of awareness in individuals that Native people are still here. 

Connor’s Compositions

Connor always had an interest in composing. As a child, he began to learn to play by ear and even composed a few songs until he received feedback from a teacher that made him feel that he didn’t know enough to compose. After taking classes and breaking free from the idea that there was “one” correct way to compose, Connor developed the skill and confidence to begin creating his own music. His early compositions incorporated already familiar traditional music with his piano expertise.

Connor’s Albums

Connor Chee, Piano - F. Chopin - L. Beethoven - C. Debussy - F. Schubert - F. Haydn

This album’s works were chosen based on the pieces Connor was going to be performing at the Amazing Earth Fest in Kanab, UT. This is Connor’s first studio album.

The Navajo Piano 

This album consists entirely of Connor’s own original compositions based on Navajo chants, songs, and vocables, many of which he had first heard on the reservation with his grandfather.

Scenes from the Dinétah

In this album, Connor’s original piano compositions  illustrate  common elements of Navajo culture.. A series of music videos filmed on the reservation by Connor’s friend and filmmaker Michael Etcitty Jr. accompany this album. (See links below to listen and watch.)

Connor desired to show his personality, joy, and culture through these videos during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Connor offers a unique, behind-the-scenes exploration of the creative process behind the intense four-day shooting period for  these videos: part of getting the visuals included using a home-made piano shell built by his dad.

Emergence

This album is based on the Navajo creation story. Connor recorded and used his grandfather’s traditional singing in two of the tracks of this album. He wrote ‘Resilience’ while at a protester camp on the Standing Rock Reservation between North and South Dakota. 

Current Projects

After the COVID-19 pandemic paused performing and teaching, Connor is happy to be working on a few compositional projects. Scoring a documentary film, completing a couple commissions, and working on a big set of piano pieces for the professor of piano at Eastern Michigan University, Joel Shanehouse, are a handful of Connor’s works in progress.

Reflections

Connor shares that his audience is on his mind all the time. He knows that art, in any form, is about expression and communication. Connor hopes to express himself through the lens of Navajo culture in order to connect with his audience.

Listeners learn what Connor believes to be the most difficult issue facing Native People right now, hear a story about a time his music impacted the life of a six-year old boy, and explore the powerful ways positive experiences and exposure to the arts can positively impact Native students.

Connor wants everyone, especially youth, to understand that pursuing music—or any art form—as a profession is possible no matter who you are or where you come from. You don’t have to be the most famous or successful artist to be fulfilled and to make a positive impact: “If you love it, pursue it.”

This episode was created from a Zoom recording with Connor Chee and Jennifer Purdy in March 2021. Connor’s music is available on his website and multiple streaming platforms. You can see him perform live at BYU’s 2022 Arts Express Summer Conference June 7-8th.

Links Mentioned:

Connor Chee’s Website
Arts Express 2022 Registration

Resources

MIDAS

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Don’t forget to peruse the bank of lesson plans produced by the BYU ARTS Partnership in dance, drama, music, visual arts, media arts, and more. Search by grade-level, art form or subject area at www.education.byu.edu/arts/lessons.