Chris Thornborrow is a versatile composer for fi lm, theatre, and concerts. His work has been described as “urgent, masterful” (NOW Magazine) and “elegiac music that casts a spell” (Hollywood Reporter). Recognition for his work includes the Karen Kieser Prize in Canadian Music, multiple SOCAN Awards for Audio Visual Composers, and two DORA Award nominations.

His opera, Hook Up, premiered in 2019 with critical acclaim. Produced by Tapestry Opera, it was lauded as “beautiful, gut-wrenching, and riveting” (Mooney Theatre). Established as a leading facilitator in opera for young people, Chris works regularly with the Toronto District School Board, Gryphon Trio, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company and has collaborated with thousands of students, presenting over sixty staged productions. He was recognized in 2020 for his work with youth with a nomination for the Louis Appelbaum Composition Award.

Chris composed the score for Sleeping Giant, which was nominated for the Critics Week Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, won Best Canadian First Feature Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and broadcast in forty countries. His instrumental music has been performed, recorded, and commissioned by esteemed music organizations, including the Bicycle Opera Project, Esprit Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, The National Arts Centre, and The Toy Piano Composers, of which he was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director for eight seasons.

Chris is currently co-creating a play with David Yee, commissioned by the National Arts Centre English Theatre and Orchestra, based on their 2024 radio drama, cicadas.