Duck Creek Covid Commission: Zeena Parkins, Harp/electronics

New York based electro-acoustic composer/improviser Zeena Parkins is a pioneer of contemporary harp practices. Through the use of expanded playing techniques, object preparations, and electronic processing she has re-defined the instrument’s capacities. Concurrently, Parkins self-designed a series of one-of-a kind electric instruments. She leans into the harp’s physical limitations pushing into its boundaries and impossibilities. In her compositions, Parkins utilizes collections, recombination, historic proximities, geography, tactility, and movement. Sonic presence and personality is revealed in feedback, overtones, timbral shifts, gestural intervals, perception, and residues. Awards include: The Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, DAAD Artist Fellowship, Foundation for Contemporary Arts “Grants to Artists” Award, Multi-Arts Production Fund, NYFA Fellowship for Composers, Meet the Composer, Atlantic Center for the Arts Master Artist-in-Residence, Herb Alpert/Ucross Prize, The Shifting Award, and three Bessies for her groundbreaking work with dance. Parkins has also been supported by American Music Center, Peter S. Reed Fellowship, and Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust. This program was organized by the Arts Center at Duck Creek and sponsored by The Willem de Kooning Foundation ()