Congratulations to our 2010 ArtWorks for Virginia keynote speaker, Jennifer Higdon on her new Grammy! Her Percussion Concerto was named "Best Classical Contemporary Composition" at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 31st. The prize-winning disc was recorded by the London Philharmonic with soloist Colin Currie and conductor Marin Alsop.
Dr. Higdon has been a member of the composition faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia since 1994. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, Pew Fellowship, and awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, her works are performed around the world, with commissions coming from a variety of ensembles and individuals, such as the Philadelphia and Minnesota orchestras; the Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, National, and Toronto symphony orchestras; St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Gary Graffman; Hilary Hahn; the President’s Own Marine Band; Tokyo String Quartet; Philadelphia Singers; Mendelssohn Club; eighth blackbird; and San Francisco Opera. She has works on dozens of recordings, including the Grammy- winning Higdon: Concerto for Orchestra/City Scape.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but raised in the South, she received a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, a Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music in 1988, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition she has studied conducting with Robert Spano and flute with Judith Bentley.