Ross Avant is a critically acclaimed composer and actor. After having seen Elton John on VH1, Avant became mesmerized with the piano and began earnestly studying the instrument. A natural musician and composer, Avant began composing aged fourteen. Moreover, already a seasoned cornetist and trumpeter, he made his debut performing with the world-renowned Jim Cullum Jazz Band a year later aged fifteen at the legendary jazz club, The Landing.
When he was twenty-four, he made his professional acting debut at The Playhouse in San Antonio, TX as Tom/Jim in the San Antonio premiere of Bruce Norris' Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, Clybourne Park. He has also worked on various television shows and films including HBO's Succession, The Kitchen starring Melissa McCarthy, and The Irishman directed by Martin Scorsese.
Furthermore, in his popular music, Avant skillfully weaves the subversive, social satire à la Randy Newman and the thoughtful, gorgeous melodies of a master like Elton John into a resplendent tapestry; replete with arresting pop hooks and fortified with Avant’s signature piano style. His popular work is an exhaustive amalgamation of American music covering a wide breadth of genres from rock, pop, blues, R&B, and funk, to soul, jazz, and Americana.
Similarly, Avant’s concert music is influenced by a wide array of composers including Julia Wolfe, Shubert, Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Philip Glass, Clara Schumann, Wojciech Kilar, Anthony Braxton, Chopin, Allen Shawn, Schoenberg, Arvo Pärt, John Adams, and Mahler. He has also composed music for the theatre including two productions at The City Theatre Company (Austin, TX): Cyrano de Bergerac (dir. Jeff Hinkle) and The Taming of the Shrew (dir. Levi Gore).
Avant holds an A.B. in religion and philosophy from Trinity University. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, The Society of Composers and Lyricists, and The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.