Heather Stebbins — Lacuna (2019)

Upon reflection, I realized that many of the pieces I wrote in the two years leading up to LACUNA (2019) were subconscious manifestations of my reactions to the daily horrors I read and watched in the news. The pieces that came out of that period were generally loud and aggressive. When I set out to compose a piece for Transient Canvas, I decided to purposefully avoid dynamic and textural extremes, instead focusing on sustained, meditative sounds in both the acoustic and electronic elements. Even with these intentions, there are a few moments of violent sounds, though they always resolve into placid textures. — Heather Stebbins

Heather Stebbins is a composer of acoustic and electroacoustic music that highlights her fascination with the kinetic and emotive properties of sound. Her music has been performed in North America, South America, Australia, Asia, and Europe by ensembles such as loadbang, Ensemble U:, the JACK Quartet, Dal Niente, Sound Icon, Transient Canvas, Ensemble L’Arsenale, eighth blackbird, and the Riot Ensemble. She has worked closely with performers Carlos Cordeiro, Will Lang, Andrew Kozar, Adam Vidiksis, and Sam Kelder to create highly personal pieces for solo instrument and electronics.

“You Are Not Stone”, an EP released on Not Art Records, features works for viola and interactive electronics. Other recordings have been released on the SEAMUS and Coviello labels.

Stebbins was the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship and holds degrees from Boston University and the University of Richmond. Her principal teachers include Benjamin Broening, Joshua Fineberg, and Helena Tulve. Stebbins joined the faculty at George Washington University as an Assistant Professor of Music in 2019.

 In addition to composing and teaching, Heather enjoys running, gardening, reading, cooking, and exploring new places and spaces with her partner Mike, their son Elliott, and their four-legged companion, Rowa.