Bio
Elizabeth Anne Comninellis (b. 1986) is a composer, singer, and pianist. She recently completed her doctorate in music composition at the University of Texas at Austin where she studied with Yevgeniy Sharlat and Russell Pinkston. She holds a master's degree in music composition from the University of Colorado- Boulder, and a bachelor's degree in music composition, with emphasis in vocal and piano performance, from the University of Missouri- Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. She has studied with many acclaimed composers of modern art music, among them Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Paul Rudy, Carter Pan, and Dan Kellogg.
Dr. Comninellis is the composer-in-residence for The Boulder Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble premiered her work, As Lightning Flashes for symphony orchestra, in April 2017. She has also been commissioned by a number of new music initiatives, most recently The Beerthoven Concert Series in 2017 and Tetractys New Music in 2016, for which she wrote Lady Wisdom and Solomon. Her piece White Birds, for clarinet and electronics, was presented at the 2015 New York Electroacoustic Music Festival. Her percussion trio, Bringing in the Boat, was chosen for the Women Composers of Hartford's 2015 international score call. She was awarded the Edward J. Levy Graduate Composition Prize for her chamber work, Flight. In addition, she was a recipient of the Kent Kennan Fellowship for music composition at the University of Texas.
Elizabeth is primarily a writer of large chamber works, many of which have theatrical and narrative components. She regularly seeks out collaborative projects with other artists, especially in the fields of theater and dance. Many of her ideas are drawn from literature, visual art, film, dance, and from her devoted Christian faith. Most recently she undertook a collaboration with pianist and juggler, Mathilde LeGrand to compose several pieces that combine the two skills. These collaborations were featured by Quest Track Radio in Normandy, France in June 2017. In addition, Elizabeth regularly writes for film and documentary, especially films by Joshua Comninellis.
Dr. Comninellis is also active as a performer and teacher. She currently holds a studio in voice and piano at The Orpheus Academy of Music in Austin, TX. She also enjoys writing works for children and regularly composes pieces for her students to perform.
Curricula vitae
Elizabeth Anne Comninellis
816.868.3449. liz.comninellis@gmail.com . elizabethcom.com
EDUCATION
DMA Composition May 2017
University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music | Austin, TX
Dissertation
As Lightning Flashes, As Water Flashes for symphony orchestra
Large work for orchestra performed by the Boulder Symphony
Orchestra on April 8, 2017
Principle Teachers
Yevgeniy Sharlat, Russell Pinkston
Diploma, magna cum lauda, Western Humanities May 2013
Augustine College: Ottawa, CA
MM Composition May 2012
University of Colorado at Boulder, College of Music | Boulder, CO
Thesis
Symphony of Portraits: Vesper
Large work for orchestra read by the Symphonic Orchestra
at The University of Colorado- Boulder on December 12, 2012
Principle Teachers
Carter Pann, Dan Kellogg
BM Composition, minors in voice and piano May 2009
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music | Kansas City, MO
Principle Teachers
Zhou Long, Chen Yi, Paul Rudy
ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Colorado- Boulder, College of Music | Boulder, CO 2009 - 2011
Instructor of Record
MUSC 2111, MUSC 2121 Aural Skills and Sight Reading
- Taught two sections of sophomore level aural skills
- Required course for all 2nd year music majors
- Planned curriculum and wrote exams
- Composed exercises and dictations for in-class practice and for homework
- Held test review sessions and offered private tutoring
University of Colorado- Boulder, College of Music | Boulder, CO 2009 – 2011
Teaching Assistant
MUSC 1101, MUSC 1111 Written Music Theory
- Graded all assignments and exams for 52 students
- Planned and gave lectures 2 to 3 times per semester
- Organized study sessions prior to examinations
- Tutored students individually and in small groups
ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Orpheus Academy of Music | Austin, TX 2013-present
Director of Composition, Faculty Piano and Voice Instructor
- Private voice and piano instructor to 30+ students
- Directed compositional activities for faculty and students
- Director of Composition/Improvisation Camps and Choir Camps
- Organize faculty and student recitals
Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids | Denver, CO 2010-2012
Musical Director, Vocal Coach/Accompanist
- Composed and arranged musical numbers
- Served as Musical director for 12 Musicals and 3 Musical Reviews
- Taught and rehearsed all musical numbers
- Held vocal coaching sessions for principal actors
- Hired and rehearsed musicians for the pit orchestra/band
- Accompanied all 12 shows at the piano
The Lesson Studio | Boulder, CO 2010-2011
Private Voice and Piano Instructor
Meyer Music | Overland Park, KS 2007-2009
Private Voice and Piano Instructor
ADDITIONAL TEACHING SKILLS AND TRAINING
- Film composition and sound design
- Orchestration for orchestra, chamber ensemble, soloists
- Arranging for amateur and professional groups and soloists
- Training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Kodaly teaching methods
- Soprano, specializing in contemporary art music, folk, and jazz styles
- Pianist and accompanist
- Voice actor and narrator
RESIDENCY
Boulder Symphony Orchestra 2016-present
Composer-in-Residence
- Commissioned and premiered As Lightning Flashes for symphony orchestra in April 2017
- Commissioned and will premiere As Water Quenches for symphony orchestra in 2018
COMMISSIONED WORKS
2017
- As Lightning Flashes, As Water Quenches | symphony orchestra
Boulder Symphony Orchestra
- Mechanized Dances | flute, percussion, fixed media
Beerthoven Concert Series
- Golden Birds | violin, voice, fixed media
James Zawaba-Martinez, violin
2016
- Lady Wisdom and Solomon | flute, clarinet, marimba, string quintet
Tetractys New Music
- Extravaganza | piano and juggler
Mathilde LeGrand, piano
- Building Bones | two marimbas
Landmarks UT
2015
- Sky Bridge | bass clarinet duet and piano
Duo Haiku
- Majestic LORD | SAB choir and piano
United Christian Church of Austin
- Peace I Leave with You | chamber ensemble
Bass Concert Hall
2014
- Bringing in the Boat | percussion trio
Blanton Museum of Art
- The Sea | children’s choir and piano
Orpheus Academy of Music
- Morning at the brown brink… | children’s piano duet
Orpheus Academy of Music
2012
- Sir William Cayley | bass clarinet, flute, and piano
Jessica Lindsey, bass clarinet
2011
- Complications of Weightlessness | string quartet
Tesla String Quartet
2009
- Outburst at afternoon tea | flute, bassoon, piano
Keel Williams, bassoon
- Tin Soldier: I. March of the Ordinaries, II. Paper Dancer | solo cello and two percussion
Taylor Richardson, cello
- You MUST Pay the Rent | solo flute and narrator
Co(mp)llaborations
INDEPENDENT WORKS
2015
- He Wishes for the Clothes of Heaven | vocal and piano
Orpheus Academy Faculty Recital | Austin, TX
- Land of Nod | vocal and piano
Orpheus Academy Faculty Recital | Austin, TX
- Hannah | solo guitar
Recital Studio | Austin, TX
Psalm 51 | SATB choir
2014
- White Birds | clarinet and fixed media
CLUTCH New Music | Austin, TX
- Hannah | SSA choir and harp
2013
- Arete | violin and guitar
CLUTCH New Music | Austin, TX
2011
- Flight | large chamber ensemble
Grusin Hall | Boulder, CO
2010
- The sky is overcast | narrator, bass clarinet, piano, cello
Grusin Hall | Boulder, CO
- A Man Said to the Universe | voice, flute, percussion, piano
ATLAS Black Box Theater | Boulder, CO
2009
- Eho Andirisi | viola solo
Grant Hall | Kansas City, MO
- Lullaby | soprano, mezzo-soprano, viola, piano
Grant Hall | Kansas City, MO
- The Last Leaf | SSATBB and piano
White Hall | Kansas City, MO
2008
- Waiting | piano solo
White Hall | Kansas City, MO
- Some Thoughts | piano solo
White Hall | Kansas City, MO
COLLABORATIVE WORKS: DANCE, THEATER, FILM
2016
The Magic Lasso | chamber ensemble with actor/narrator
Collaboration with playwright Drew Paryzer, CLUTCH New Music: Austin, TX
Lonestar Documentary | fixed media piece for documentary film |
Lonestar Paralysis Gala | Austin, TX
2015
Aqueous | harp and fixed media with choreography and live projection
Ears, Eyes and Feet | Austin, TX
2011
Clockwork | composer and live performer of incidental music
Collaboration with playwright Chuck Novatka, Theatre O | Boulder, CO
Collaboration with playwright Chuck Novatka, Theatre O | Boulder, CO
RADIO BROADCASTS
2017 Piano, Piano on Quest Track Radio | Normandy, France
Program featuring two pieces I wrote for piano and juggler
2011 Chamber Music with Mike Pettengal on KKFI Community Radio | Kansas City, MO
Phone Interview and airing of 12 of my recent works
2010 The Colorado Spotlight on Colorado Public Radio | Denver, CO
Interview and radio premiere of the sky is overcast, as well as repeat broadcasts
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Orpheus Academy of Music | Austin, TX 2013-present
Director of Compositional Activities, Music Camp Director
- Wrote student pieces for group classes and summer camps
- Organized opportunities for students to write and perform new music
- Directed and designed curriculum for “Composition/Improvisation Camp”
- Directed and wrote music for “Choir Camp”
CLUTCH New Music | Butler School of Music | Austin, TX 2013-2016
Program Editor, Committee member
- Helped to plan two concerts each semester
- Edited all printed programs and program notes
- Booked rehearsal spaces and organized dress rehearsal schedule
- Helped with concert set-up and tear-down
Pendulum New Music | College of Music | Boulder, CO 2009-2011
Program Editor, Committee member
- Helped to plan two concerts each semester
- Edited all printed programs and program notes
- Booked rehearsal spaces and organized dress rehearsal schedule
- Helped with concert set-up and tear-down
Composer’s Guild | Conservatory of Music and Dance| Kansas City, MO 2006-2008
Committee member
- Served on the program planning board
- Helped to choose which music to program
- Edited and designed the concert program and promotional materials
- Scheduled dress rehearsal times
- Booked rehearsal and performance spaces
Linda Hall Library of Science and Technology | Kansas City, MO 2005-2007
Assistant to the Director of Development
- Handled all communication with library patrons,
- Planned and publicized lecture series’ and other library events
- Wrote press releases and organized mailings
- Kept the address database up to date
- Helped to design and edit promotional brochures and lecture series outlines
- Trained new staff members and library volunteers
HONORS
2013-2017 Kent Kennan Graduate Endowed Fellowship
2015 Winner of International Score Call for Women Composers of Hartford
2010 Edward J. Levy Graduate Composition Prize
FESTIVALS
2015
- LaTex Electroacoustic Music Festival, performance of Immerse
- Women Composers of Hartford, performance of Bringing in the Boat
- New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, performance of White Birds
2014
- LaTex Electroacoustic Music Festival, performance of White Birds
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Composers Forum
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Society of Composers, Inc.