William Close

William Close is an American musician, installation artist, and the inventor of the Earth Harp. He is the founder of the group, Mass Ensemble, and has developed over 100 new types of musical instruments. He is known for his large-scale musical installations that often involve architecture and public spaces.

Early Life and Education

William Close was born in 1970 in New York City. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago where he explored the connection between architecture and music. This led to his development of the Earth Harp, his most well-known invention.

Career

Close started his career as a musician and artist in the late 1990s. He founded the group Mass Ensemble in 1998, which is known for its unique performances involving large-scale musical installations.

In 2001, Close invented the Earth Harp, a stringed instrument that uses architecture and the natural landscape to create sound. The Earth Harp has been installed in numerous locations around the world, including the Colosseum in Rome, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and the Seattle Space Needle.

Close has also invented over 100 other new types of musical instruments, many of which are used in performances by Mass Ensemble. These include the Drum Orb, the Percussion Jacket, and the Aquatar.

In 2012, Close was a finalist on the television show America's Got Talent, where he performed with the Earth Harp.

Personal Life

Close currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He continues to perform with Mass Ensemble and create new musical instruments.

See Also

• Earth Harp
• Mass Ensemble
• America's Got Talent