#  Zeena Parkins 

 

 



   ![Zeena Parkins](/sites/g/files/omnuum3121/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2025-12/Zeena%20Parkins%20Headshot%20by%20Jeff%20Preiss.JPG?h=24e1774d&itok=GHwMvu86) 

 



 





 

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.



 

 

 





 

 

- ## Commission Date
    
     [2025](/commission-date/2025-0)
- ## Composer
    
     [Parkins, Zeena](/composer/parkins-zeena)
- ## Commissions
    
     [Current Commission](/currentcommissions)