Nolan Gasser, Ph.D

Nolan Gasser is a critically acclaimed composer, pianist, author, and musicologist, best known as the architect of Pandora Radio’s Music Genome Project and co-founder and Chief Genomic Officer of Katch Media, an entertainment data analytics company. His original compositions have been performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, David Geffen Hall, and the Rose Bowl. Among his notable works are the musical "Benny & Joon," the opera "The Secret Garden," and orchestral works "Cosmic Reflection" and "The World Concerto." Gasser's book "Why You Like It: The Science and Culture of Musical Taste" has been praised by The Economist and The Washington Post and is set to be released in paperback on May 2, 2022.

Gasser's current projects include the musical "Benny & Joon," which had successful runs at the Paper Mill Playhouse and the Old Globe theaters, with plans moving toward a Broadway run. His opera "The Secret Garden" was commissioned by San Francisco Opera and premiered on March 1, 2013, before moving to other venues such as Houston Grand Opera. His forthcoming rock-world music album "Border Crossing" features musicians like Tim Ries and Matt Szemela. Additionally, he is the architect of the Katch Media Genome, an innovative ontology and coding system designed to transform the development and marketing of media content.

Outside of his compositional work, Gasser lectures widely on topics related to musical taste, the science and culture of music, and music and technology. He has delivered talks such as the TEDx talk "Empowering Your Musical Taste," available on YouTube. Gasser holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Stanford University, where he has served as an Adjunct Professor. As a musician, he performs both as a solo pianist and with groups, maintaining an active performance schedule. He lives with his family in Petaluma, CA, and continues to influence both the music and tech industries through his innovative work and scholarly contributions.