Congratulations to 2024–25 Luna Lab fellows Danity Pike—who was just awarded the 2025 G. Schirmer Prize for Luna Composition Lab for her work just like the dolls—and Zoe Verduin, who received an Honorable Mention for her work Joshua Tree.
Inaugurated in 2019, G. Schirmer & Associated Music Publishers, part of the Wise Music Group, awards the G. Schirmer Prize each year to a Luna Lab fellow. It offers access to publishing industry professionals and a cash prize, as well as educational mentoring and networking opportunities.
“As Luna Lab’s Artistic Directors, we’re thrilled that Danity Pike has been awarded this year’s Schirmer Prize. Danity’s work just like the dolls, premiered last June by the International Contemporary Ensemble at our 9th annual festival, is theatrical, topical, and wholly original. Luna Composition Lab is honored to partner with G. Schirmer to recognize Danity’s singular talent, and we’re confident that she will soon be making waves in the composition field.” —Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid
Watch the world premiere of just like the dolls, performed by International Contemporary Ensemble
“I used to flinch at calling myself a “composer” out of fear I couldn’t align with the label. Then, I received mentorship with Mari Esabel Valverde from the Luna Lab Fellowship with five other talented composers my age. I learned how to cultivate my ideas into deliberate musical phrases. I realized that my nontraditional instincts in music did belong in the composition space. Luna Composition Lab is an indispensable opportunity for any gender-marginalized composer like me, who craves to grow as a composer in a supportive and inclusive space. I could not be more thankful for this remarkable program!” –Danity Pike
This year, G. Schirmer also recognized Zoe Verduin with an Honorable Mention for her work Joshua Tree, which is inspired by the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park in California, and the progression of a day from sunrise to sunset.
Watch the world premiere of Joshua Tree, performed by International Contemporary Ensemble
“We particularly appreciated Zoe’s refined and thoughtful approach to timbre throughout Joshua Tree; the work is rich in color and expression within its brief duration.” -Peggy Monastra