Augusta Read Thomas

Augusta Read Thomas is a dynamic and prolific American composer, renowned for her bold, passionate, and urgent musical language. Born in Glen Cove, New York, in 1964, she studied with esteemed mentors Oliver Knussen and Pierre Boulez, absorbing their influences to forge her unique voice. As a University Professor of Composition at the University of Chicago and director of the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition, Thomas is not only an educator but also one of the most active composers of our time.

Her impressive body of work has earned her numerous commissions, performances, recordings, awards, and honors, including a Grammy win with Chanticleer. Thomas's music is deeply inspired by poetry and nature, as seen in pieces like "Words of the Sea," which merges a woman's song with the sound of the ocean. Described as a "true virtuoso composer" by The New York Times, her compositions are a testament to her unbridled passion and fierce poetic sensibility. To explore her vibrant musical world, visit her official website at http://www.augustareadthomas.com/.