THE RESONANCE ATLAS
Katherine Pukinskis
Biography
Katherine Pukinskis (born 1986) is an American composer and scholar whose work explores storytelling, voice, cultural identity and the ways words and ideas travel across musical traditions. She studied at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Chicago, receiving a PhD in composition in 2016 with research in ethnomusicology. She is on the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University, having previously taught at Amherst College, Harvard University and the Longy School of Music.
Her compositions have been premiered by ensembles including eighth blackbird, the Spektral Quartet and Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, with commissions from Akropolis Reed Quintet and other groups. Her research focuses particularly on Latvian and Baltic musical culture, diaspora and choral traditions; she co-edited Baltic Musics Beyond the Post Soviet (2024). Her chamber catalogue includes Pivot and Wanderweg (2026), the latter written for Pierrot ensemble.
Why this music interests us
Pukinskis brings an interest in storytelling, identity and cultural transmission to a varied chamber catalogue. Pivot and Puddle offer two approaches to the reed quintet, while Meri (The Sea) combines flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone and bassoon. Wanderweg, for a mixed sextet with auxiliary percussion, suggests another compelling way of bringing contemporary music into an intimate setting. Her work invites attention to the relationships between instrumental sound, presence and listening.
Selected works & listening
Pivot (reed quintet); Puddle (reed quintet); Meri (The Sea; flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon); Wanderweg (mixed sextet with auxiliary percussion)
Further information