along for the ride

Jan 2027

About

The Atlanta Contemporary Ensemble is a mixed chamber orchestra specializing in avant-garde music and the pioneering of living composers both locally and internationally.
ACE combines live music with powerful dance, choreographed by the highly skilled members of the Oxford Emory contemporary dance company.

Amy Wilson

Conductor

Amy Wilson is a conductor living in Atlanta who has conducted orchestras throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Currently, she is the Music Director of the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Principal Guest Conductor of the Atlanta Musicians Orchestra. This summer she is guest conducting with Diversita Opera Arts.

Amy has appeared as a guest conductor with the Agnes Scott College-Community Orchestra, Atlanta Musicians Orchestra, Yakima Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra, and the Warner Robins Air Force Band. She has worked with internationally renowned soloists including Kenn Wagner, Christina Smith, and Justin Bruns. She is collaborating with Julie Coucheron this spring with Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra. Amy has been on television, radio including WABE, and has had an article written about work with Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra in David magazine. In 2005, Amy was named the winner of the International Conductors Workshop and Competition.

Amy has studied with such distinguished conductors as Robert Spano, Adrian Gnam, Gustav Meier, Jesús López-Cobos, Anshel Brusilow, and Wayne Wyman. She holds a degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and advanced degrees from the University of North Texas, and Mercer University. Robert Spano is composing a new work to be premiered by the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019. For more information visit http://www.amymwilson.com/

Frankie Freeman

Choreographer

Frankie Freeman, Texas born/Florida raised, began ballet, tap, jazz, and gymnastics at the age of 2. As she grew up she got more involved in sports, but in high school was still a part of the Precision Dance Company and Evolution Dance Team. Sports soon ended up taking her to college, where she received a full ride track and field/academic scholarship. She graduated from Shorter University in December 2012 with her bachelor's in early childhood education, psychology, and criminal justice. She moved to Atlanta right after to pursue her dream of dance.

Krista M. Jones

Artist

Krista M. Jones, also known as JONESY, is a contemporary artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is best known for her vibrant, patterned murals and complex canvas paintings. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbus State University and is a multiple grant recipient, which includes the Laura Patricia Calle grant, the Gwinnett Creativity Fund, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her canvas works have been featured in exhibitions throughout the United States, including but not limited to The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, LAC-Lawrenceville Arts Center, MOCA GA- Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia; ABV Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia; Kibee Gallery: Blue Mark Studios: MINT gallery: and Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. Jones has also received public art commissions from clients such as the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning, the City of Chamblee, The Hudgens Center, Mill Creek Residential, Jon Ossoff for Senate, Sugarloaf CID, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATL-DOT), Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Livable Buckhead, Path Foundation and Living Walls, the City Speaks. More information at her website jonesyartatl.com and Instagram.

Tracy Kathleen Woodard

Executive Director

Tracy Kathleen Woodard holds a BA from Georgia State University and MA from University of Georgia, and has been active in the Atlanta non-profit scene since 1999. She sat on the board of directors for Eyedrum Gallery for many years, founded the Cantos Y Cuentos contemporary string quartet, is President of Mad Housers Inc., and currently works for Intown Cares as program manager. She programmed the silent film series “Signal and the Noise”, the “Language of Birds” science and music series, and continues to push for innovative combinations of live music with dance, art, science, and film in evocative spaces.