Composer Portraits
Miya Masaoka talks to Columbia News about her upcoming Composer Portrait
2/20/2025
Miya Masaoka Will Be the Subject of a Composer Portrait at Miller Theatre
Columbia News caught up with Masaoka recently to discuss her upcoming Composer Portrait at Miller Theatre, as well as what she’s teaching and working on now.
Columbia News: How does it feel to be the subject of a Composer Portrait at Miller Theatre?
Miya Masaoka: I’m thrilled, and I love the word “portrait,” as I think of its meaning in the visual arts sense. A portrait is something formal, contextualized in a frame. In the past, one had to sit for a portrait—and do long sittings over a period of days for the painter to paint the portrait. This meant that an image was enduring, meant to last, to be archived, and be public. It is the opposite of the meme, which lasts for only a few seconds.
It's an honor for me to have this public moment about my work, and I have total and enormous gratitude that it is happening.
“From the repertoire that will be performed, I bring various practices, including a combined sense of values, focused ethos, and open engagement with sound, materiality, and, of course, time/temporality, all of which are reflected in these pieces.”
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