Griffin Candey (b. 1988) is a Michigan-born composer whose works have been praised for their "charming and elaborate complexity" and their "lyricism and emotional depth."

Recent outings include songs and song cycles for Tamara Wilson, Kelley O’Connor, Ryan McKinny, and NYC’s Mirror Visions Ensemble; a choral work for Minneapolis’ Cantus Vocal Ensemble; a new solo work for saxophonist Timothy McAllister and pianist Liz Ames for their recent album, Project Encore; chamber works for Fifth House Ensemble and Black Moon Trio; and a chamber cello concerto co-commissioned by New Music Detroit, CHAI Collaborative Ensemble, and Citywater. Upcoming commissions include songs for soprano Alexandra Nowakowski, a tenor saxophone concerto for the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra and saxophonist Drew Hosler, and a collaboration with NOW Ensemble for their 2024 Michigan tour. Candey's songs and chamber works have been performed at Tanglewood, Source Song Festival, the Oh My Ears Festival, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Denison University’s TUTTI Festival, and more.

A fierce advocate for new American opera, Candey served for several years as composer-in-residence with Cleveland Opera Theatre, who premiered his adaptation of Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba in June 2022. His first opera, Sweets by Kate, has been produced throughout the U.S. since its premiere in 2016, including at Boston University's Fringe Fest, Fort Worth Opera's Frontiers, with Knoxville’s own Marble City Opera, the Ohio State University, and at New York City's Stonewall Inn, with upcoming productions in Seattle and Omaha. Griffin also works closely with a wide selection of living writers, collaborating with poets like Ada Limón, Kaveh Akbar, Jane Hirshfield, Aiden Feltkamp, Richie Hofmann, Laura Attridge, Hieu Minh Nguyen, Jess Janz, and Anastasia Pennington-Flax.

Candey recently earned his DMA at the University of Michigan, studying with Dr. Kristin Kuster and Dr. Evan Chambers, and is absolutely thrilled to be joining the faculty of Tennessee Tech University as Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition.