Gemma Peacocke_photo by Susanna Hancock.jpg

GEMMA PEACOCKE is a New Zealand-born composer based in Princeton, New Jersey. She blends acoustic and electronics sounds to create densely-textured, emotionally-engaging music, and her work often has a sociopolitical focus. Her multimedia song cycle, Waves & Lines, was adapted from Eliza Griswold’s book I Am the Beggar of the World: Landays from Contemporary Afghanistan. Described as “moving, dramatic, and serious,” and “sensitive, gorgeously textured settings of poems,” (Cusp Magazine), the work, “highlights the longings, desires and shrewdness of women whose voices refuse to be stifled.” (The New York Times).

Gemma often works with choreographers, poets, visual artists, and theatre practitioners. She frequently collaborates with Australian director Benita de Wit and Thai-Australian playwright and artist Anchuli Felicia King. Her work has been performed and commissioned by Third Coast Percussion, PUBLIQuartet, Rubiks Ensemble, ~Nois Saxophone Quartet, cellist Nick Photinos, the JACK Quartet, the Desdemona Quartet, Fresh Squeezed Opera, the 21st Century Consort, and Alarm Will Sound. She is co-founder of composer collective Kinds of Kings. Described by The New Yorker as “distinguished young creators who work in diverse styles,” the collective focuses on amplifying and advocating for underheard voices in music and producing immersive and inclusive work.