While studying music at Keene State College in New Hampshire, Ken Topham excelled in courses of advanced music theory, taking on all the intricacies of Counterpoint and analysis of significant works from all periods of music history. This pursuit of academic accomplishment- along with a mastery of his instruments- afforded Ken the opportunity to participate in original compositions, professional performances, and collaborations with his peers and professors. These practical experiences contributed to his training and taught him to be a versatile multi-instrumentalist in an inclusive array of genres.

Ken earned a double BA in Music Composition and Music History & Literature. He has composed, performed, recorded, and produced several large-scale pieces, film scores, and full-length albums in his studios. His music blends his influences in acoustic and electronic instruments as well as tape manipulation and samples, and other fixed media to create an innovative, however familiar, sound. Ken is currently working toward his MFA in Music Composition at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Ken’s band GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! formulated in the early 2000s in the San Francisco Bay Area. He and his friend, Joe Andreoli, began experimenting with traditional musical forms, rhythms, and melodies; inspiring and challenging each other to create and perform exhilarating and captivating musical works. With these pieces of music, they were able to challenge themselves creatively, technically, sonically, and physically. The music contains an organic and human quality- accessible to many unsuspecting listeners, and which helped spread their work rapidly to tens of thousands of listeners around the world.

As a teacher of music, Ken has been instructing private and small group lessons for a variety of instruments, to students of all ages for almost two decades. His lessons are based on the practical application and enjoyment of fundamental musical skills and concepts.  

Ken Topham focuses on continual growth as a musician. Achieving new levels of technical and compositional accomplishment are what inspire him. He is always pursuing excellence- as a student, educator, and professional musician.

Ken is currently available for session work, collaborations, private lessons, arranging/orchestration, and original compositions.