Faculty Profile
KATE PUKINSKIS

Composition Faculty

Kate Pukinskis teaches composition and theory at Longy School of Music. Her work has been premiered by Grammy-nominated performers such as Eighth Blackbird and Spektral Quartet, as well as members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and San Antonio Symphony. She has been involved in a variety of cross-genre projects that combine her passion for composition, research and storytelling through music.

“Kate Pukinskis teaches composition and theory at Longy School of Music. Her work has been premiered by Grammy-nominated performers such as Eighth Blackbird and Spektral Quartet, as well as members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and San Antonio Symphony. She has been involved in a variety of cross-genre projects that combine her passion for composition, research and storytelling through music.

We often have a really romantic idea of musical transformation—like you’ll hear a piece of music and have your world open up. But really, transformation happens on all sorts of scales, and it happens all the time at Longy. Some of my favorite moments in the classroom are when I see students’ concept of music change just a little bit. As a teacher, you get to see the small changes in perspective that lead towards larger transformation. 

Every day in my work I’m challenged to meet my students where they are in the moment and let go of the way I’ve experienced things. Exploring other art and genres helps us understand the infinite ways we can make sense of our own lives and, as result, form deeper connections with those around us. Every semester I have my students submit a list of songs they want to explore, and we get to see so many different facets to creativity.

Success as a musician looks different to every person. One of the things that’s really compelling for me as a teacher, and also for our students, is that Longy’s view of what it means to be a musician today and in the future is broad and inclusive. We try hard to offer lots of possible outcomes or focuses to explore, to really diversify what a career in music can look like.

There are many ways to explore music and become a composer, too. I’ve always wanted to exist slightly outside of the box, and I’m happy to help my students push the edges of their own comfort zones in the same way. 

I like being part of a school that gives students the agency to figure out who they are, where they are in the world, and how they want to make their marks. If you’re willing to put in the work, Longy lets you explore almost any facet of music you’d like to. If you’re curious and like a challenge, this environment will help you grow and nurture you.”

More information about Kate Pukinskis can be found at kpukinskis.com