Annesley Black

Annesley Black is a Canadian composer and professor of composition at Kunstuniversität Graz since October 2023. She holds a professorial rank (Univ.Prof.) and specializes in interdisciplinary works spanning instrumental music, electroacoustic compositions, video performances, theatre, and multimedia installations. Her career includes prior roles as assistant professor at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main, guest professor at Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, and professor of electroacoustic composition at Hochschule für Musik Würzburg.

Black studied composition at McGill University, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, and Hochschule für Musik Freiburg under mentors Brian Cherney, York Höller, and Mathias Spahlinger. Her research and creative work explores innovative thematic concepts through an intricate musical language, often collaborating with artists across film, dance, and multimedia.

Her honors include the Busoni Award (2008), Kompositionspreis der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart (2009), and Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung Composer Prize (2019). Her works are performed globally at festivals such as Donaueschinger Musiktage, Warsaw Autumn Festival, and Ultima Festival Oslo by renowned ensembles.

Black’s creative practice emphasizes boundary-crossing between acoustic and electronic mediums, with a focus on immersive installations and interdisciplinary collaborations. She maintains active roles in artistic communities as a member of the Academy of the Arts, Berlin, and the Canadian Music Centre.