INTERNATIONAL ARTS MANAGER

Above: Missy Shoot for the moon Mazzoli and © David Andrako The Luna Composition Lab is levelling the playing field in my creating opportunities for young female . IAM founds out more

emale, non-binary and gender nonconforming Music Center, which is levelling the playing field for composers continue to make up only a small kids all over NYC and beyond,” says KMC executive F minority of professional composers who are director Kate Sheeran. “Our innovative programmes consistently performed, recorded and celebrated. make music education accessible for students of A big part of the problem is a lack of role models all ages and backgrounds. We’re proud to work and encouragement to compose at an early age, with such exceptional role models and outstanding which prevents many promising young talents from educators to further our mission.” entering the field and reaching their full potential. Each year six (originally five) young female To address this imbalance, Luna Composition Lab composers are selected to take part in Luna Lab. provides aspiring young female, non-binary and They come from across the US, and work one-on- gender nonconforming composers ages 12-18 with one with a mentor to help develop their talent. Their a year of one-on-one mentorship, performance work is then performed by partner ensembles from opportunities, and high-quality recordings of their The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music and work. The idea came from New York’s Kaufman Mannes School of Music. Music Center (KMC) in 2016, with the programme now led by two of its most famous alumni: The programme’s founders are themselves perfect composers Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid. role models. Reid is a 2019 Pulitzer Prize winner and the first to have been commissioned by “Luna Composition Lab is a perfect fit for Kaufman

WWW.INTERNATIONALARTSMANAGER.COM 9 INTERNATIONAL ARTS MANAGER

Los Angeles’ four major classical music institutions. and their mentors will participate in a week-long Above: The Lunar Lab’s 2020-21 Meanwhile, Mazzoli is one of the first two women online festival that includes the world premieres of participants. From to be commissioned by the Metropolitan their new pieces on 27 April, as well as networking left to right: Vera and is currently composer-in-residence at Chicago events and masterclasses. Gjaja, Alisha Heng, Jordan Millar, Zola Symphony . Between them, they are well Saadi-Klein, Azalea positioned to help aspiring teen composers navigate Another highlight for 2021 is a series of virtual Twining and Marina Zurita McKinnon their entry into the field. masterclasses. Flutist and composer Valerie Coleman; and composer, conductor, and educator Luna Lab already has a rich crop of alumni – Tania León, will lead this year’s programme (the including Amelia Brey, Du Yun and Laura Karpman – masterclasses are also open to a limited group of and a set format. However, for 2021 things are a bit young composers who didn’t make it into the main different, as Mazzoli and Reid explain. Luna Lab).

“2020 brought unforeseen challenges to the “I have become so much more arts community. At Luna Lab we used our online confident as a composer and platform to not only maintain our programme, musician, and this programme has but to expand to meet the needs of our growing community of composers. We’ve not only expanded opened the doors to so many of my to include a sixth student, but are offering additional musical endeavours. Having an masterclasses, live-streamed concerts throughout amazing female mentor of colour the year, and much-needed social and networking was very inspirational due to the events to connect our composers who might be feeling particularly isolated at this time.” fact that female minorities are very underrepresented in the Luna Lab’s next upcoming livestream highlights composition world. Before this the programme’s partnership with Los Angeles programme, I had never truly been Chamber Orchestra (LACO), part of its continued nationwide focus. On 11 February, members of in an environment for young female LACO give the world premiere of eight works by composers, let alone serious young the 2019-20 Luna Composition Lab Fellows, plus composers.” participants in Luna Lab with LACO, in an online Ebunoluwa Oguntola performance filmed in Zipper Hall at The Colburn School in Los Angeles. This spring, the composers (2019-20 programme)

WWW.INTERNATIONALARTSMANAGER.COM 10 INTERNATIONAL ARTS MANAGER

Further, the Toulmin Luna Composition Lab Alumni Above: Missy “Through this programme, I was Fund, which is open to all of the programme’s Mazzoli and Ellen Reid © David introduced to and connected with alumni, will provide critical funds to cover costs Andrako some important members of the related to music composition endeavours including world of composition who I know application fees, travel fees, equipment, software expenses and tuition at summer festivals. The new will be a great support and help for fund will break down financial barriers that may me in the future. I was also impede alumni from continued professional and fortunate to have been able to be artistic growth and highlight the impressive work of involved with a community of Luna Lab graduates. female composers who inspire me The programme is already having success, with its to continue my path as a composer alumni attending prestigious institutions such as and explore the limitless the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Jacobs School possibilities of music.” of Music at Indiana University and Rice University. Alumni have received commissions from The St Paul Yuri Lee Chamber Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, Opera (2018-19 programme) Omaha, Special Music School Chorus, the American Composers Orchestra, violinist Johnny Gandelsman, and more. This season also marks the launch of two new initiatives supporting Luna Composition Lab “We’re confident that Luna Composition Lab composers and alumni (supported by the Virginia Fellows are well on their way to being prominent B. Toulmin Foundation). The Toulmin Luna voices in our field, and we’re inspired by their work, Composition Lab Fellowship supports female, non- passion, and energy, even in the most difficult binary, and gender nonconforming composers at of circumstances,” Mazzoli and Reid say. “Our Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School. This composers are a source of energy and inspiration to year’s recipient Marina Zurita McKinnon will benefit us, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.” from tuition support and mentoring.

WWW.INTERNATIONALARTSMANAGER.COM 11