Composition

Faculty Profile Katherine Pukinskis

Kate Pukinskis teaches composition and theory at Longy School of Music. Her work has been premiered by Grammy-nominated performers such as Eighth Blackbird and Spektral Quartet, as well as members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and San Antonio Symphony. She has been involved in a variety of cross-genre projects that combine her passion for composition, research and storytelling through music. We often have a really romantic idea of musical transformation—like you’ll hear a piece of music and have your world open up. But really, transformation happens on all sorts of scales, and it happens all the time at Longy. Some of my favorite moments in the classroom are when I see students’ concept of music change just a little bit. As a teacher, you get to see the small changes in perspective that lead towards larger transformation. Every day in my work I’m challenged to meet my students where they are in the moment and let go of the way I’ve experienced things. Exploring other art and genres helps us understand the infinite ways we can make sense of our own lives and, as result, form deeper connections with those around us. Every semester I have my students submit a list of songs they want to explore, and we get to see so many different facets to creativity.

Composition

Longy composers work in a vibrant, artistic environment where public performance of new compositions is central to the experience. Composition students benefit from experienced mentoring in a supportive new music community dedicated to high standards and academic inquiry. Opportunities to write music for soloists, chamber groups, orchestras, and contemporary ensembles abound! Longy’s composition faculty ensure that students work closely with student groups and professional ensembles in the Boston community and beyond. The Custom Commision unit of Longy’s Catalyst Courses fosters extensive collaboration between performance and composition students.

Your Faculty

Alexandra du Bois, chair Peter Aldins Evan Bennett* Pablo Santiago Chin Peter Evans Amy Beth Kirsten Ruth Mendelson* John Morrison Katherine Pukinskis Garo Saraydarian* Tony Solitro* Matthew Evan Taylor Jeremy Van Buskirk Anna Yu Wang*

*No private studio

Degrees & Diplomas

Bachelor of Music Graduate Performance Diploma Master of Music Degree Undergraduate Diploma

Course Highlights

Computer Composition and Sound Design

Dive into the world of sounds design for music and multimedia projects. Create new timbres and electroacoustic compositions using digital synthesis, sampling, and signal processing.

Performer-Composer Collaboration Lab

The top-down model of “composer writes, performer plays/sings” is antiquated. Break down typical composer/performer roles and develop a more holistic, person-specific approach to collaboration.