Electric guitarist Mary Halvorson plays new improvised music that touches on various avant-garde styles of jazz and rock. Born in Boston, MA. in 1980, she was determined to remove categories from the equations of her style, which do range from experimental rock and modern creative music to noise. After studying near her home, she took classes at Wesleyan University, and then at the New School of Jazz & Contemporary Music upon a move to Brooklyn, NY in 2002. She then connected with an impressive array of veteran musicians steeped in the contemporary new music tradition, including a lengthy stint with Anthony Braxton. Other prominent collaborators include Taylor Ho Bynum, Tim Berne, Trevor Dunn, Assif Tsahar, Matana Roberts, Ted Reichman, Stephen Haynes, Curtis Hasselbring, Tomas Fujiwara, Jason Moran, Tony Malaby, Nicole Mitchell, Elliott Sharp, and John Tchicai. Aside from her own trio, Halvorson co-leads a chamber music duo with violist Jessica Pavone as documented on the Skirl label recording On & Off, and is a member of the progressive rock band People with drummer Kevin Shea. She has also taught at the New School, and conducted workshops in the School for Improvised Music. Her recordings include Opulence for the UgExplode label in duet with San Francisco drummer Weasel Walter, and Calling All Portraits on Skycap (2008,) Thin Air for Thirsty Ear records, and the critically acclaimed Dragon's Head on "Firehouse 12" with bassist John Hebert and drummer Ches Smith in 2009. Also that same year, Halvorson and her group released the album Crackleknob. In 2011, Halvorson returned with her second duo recording with violinist Jessica Pavone, Departure of Reason.