Liliya Ugay, assistant professor of composition at Florida State University, has been named the 2024 Music Teachers National Association Distinguished Composer of the Year. The annual award recognizes a composer of the most significant musical composition commissioned by the association’s state affiliates.
Dr. Ugay is the first woman to receive the award in 24 years. She was honored for composing the electro-acoustic harp piece, “Pull No More,” which was inspired by her own experience of childbirth and common clichés related to the harp.
A Florida State University faculty member since 2019, Dr. Ugay serves as the founding director of the university’s Polymorphia New Music Ensemble in the College of Music. Originally trained as a pianist, she has performed with symphonies, philharmonics, and orchestras around the world. Prior to her current faculty role, she completed residencies with the Washington National Opera and American Lyric Theater.
Dr. Ugay received her bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Columbus State University in Georgia. She earned her master of music degree and doctor of musical arts degree in composition from the Yale School of Music.