Zeena Parkins

Electro-acoustic composer/performer/improviser and pioneer of experimental harp practice, Zeena Parkins re-imagines both the acoustic harp and an evolution of her original electric ones, using expanded playing techniques, object preparations, and custom processing. Within a shifting constellation of improvised/composed/gesture/touch/ spacesite-scale/noise, Parkins is engaged in translations of sonicity within environments: social/architectural/emotional/topographical/perceptual.

Awards include: Doris Duke Artist Award, Berliner Kunstlerprogramm/DAAD, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, MAP Funds, NYFA Fellowship, Atlantic Center for the Arts Artist-inResidence, Prix Ars Eletroncia/Honorary Mention, Herb Alpert/Ucross Prize, Rauschenberg Residency (twice), and three Bessies for her groundbreaking work with dance.

Commissions include: NYSCA/Harvestworks, The Jay DeFeo Foundation, Whitney Museum, Tate Modern, SFMOMA, Sharjah Art Foundation, Yarn-Wire Ensemble, NeXtWorks Ensemble, Donaueschinger Musiktage, Sudwestrundfunk, and Merce 
Cunningham Dance Company.

Parkins has released recordings on: Tzadik, Relative Pitch Records, Corbett Vs. Dempsey, New World Records, Cryptogramophone, Table of the Elements, One Little Indian, Atavistic, and Elektra. 

Parkins has served as co-curator with Brandon Lopez of Catalytic Sound Festival, NYC Edition, from 2021-2025.