Will Yager

Dr. Will Yager is a versatile double bassist committed to experimental music, improvisation, and collaborating with artists in the creation of new solo and chamber repertoire for the double bass. He is a founding member of LIGAMENT, a duo with soprano Anika Kildegaard; Wombat, an improvising trio with Justin Comer and Carlos Cotallo Solares; and Terns, a new duo with flutist Sasha Ishov. Performance highlights include appearances at Bang on Can’s Long Play Festival, Big Ears Festival, International Society of Bassists Convention, SPLICE Festival, High Zero Festival, Experimental Sound Studio’s Quarantine Concerts, Omaha Under the Radar, and Constellation Chicago’s Frequency Series. Yager is also a founding member and currently serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Bass Players for Black Composers.

As members of LIGAMENT, Anika Kildegaard and Will Yager have premiered many new works and are working an upcoming album of pieces written expressly for the duo. Their 2026-27 season will take them to Vermont to be one of the ensembles in residence for New Music on the Point’s September Retreat, Brown University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Davidson College Past concert seasons have included appearances with No Exit New Music (Cleveland), the Johnstone Fund for New Music, University of Northern Iowa New Music Festival, University of Georgia New Music Festival, residencies at the University of Idaho and University of Iowa, collaborations with the composition department at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project’s Re:Sound and tours of the midwest and east coast.

Terns recently gave their debut concert at Constellation Chicago with a program that featured works by Silvia Borzelli, Beat Furrer, Martin Dalby, and the premiere of a new work by Christine Burke. Their upcoming season includes new collaborations with composer Michael Hersch and performances in Chicago, Baltimore, and a residency with the Center for New Music at the University of Iowa.

Wombat, along with saxophonist Justin Comer and guitarist Carlos Cotallo Solares, is an improvising trio dedicated to experimental and intermedia performance. Wombat has performed at the Oh My Ears Festival, MOXsonic Experimental Electronic Music festival, the University of Iowa Center for New Music, and frequently tours across the US. Wombat has several recordings available on Bandcamp, including their most recent: To search for a rider destroyed / Go to the ant, thou sluggard. Will also frequently performs with jazz musicians across Iowa including TriOblique, a new trio project with guitarist Luke Sanders and drummer Josh Hakanson. He has an upcoming album with pianist Geoffrey Dean and drummer Hunter Deacon entitled Alternatives slated for release in early 2027 with Cellar Music Group.

In addition to his varied performance activity, Will is a devoted educator and currently teaches double bass at the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to his position at UNI, Will taught at the University of North Alabama and Maryville College. Dr. Yager holds degrees from the University of Iowa, University of Tennessee, and Maryville College.