Flutist Claire Chase was born in San Diego, and hadn't even started high school when cast in a children’s chorus for the San Diego Opera’s rendition of Carmen. After earning her bachelor of music degree in 2001 from the Oberlin Conservatory, she co-founded the International Contemporary Ensemble, showcasing the works of emerging composers.
She went on to perform as a soloist and collaborative artist at venues like Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Guangzhou (China) Opera House, and other international concert theaters.
Currently based in Brooklyn, NYC, she released her debut solo full-length Aliento in 2009, featuring six new compositions, followed by Undersong (2010), Bright and Hollow Sky (2011) and Terrestre, released in 2012 and featuring works by Pierre Boulez, Franco Donatoni, Dai Fujikura, and Kaija Saariaho.
In Autumn 2012, she was awarded a MacArthur Foundation genius grant as an Arts Entrepreneur.