Lainie Fefferman

Lainie Fefferman is an Assistant Professor of Music & Technology at Stevens Institute of Technology and Core Faculty in the MFA in Music Composition program at Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA). She holds a PhD from Princeton University and is a performing member of the Princeton Laptop Ensemble (Sideband). Her work spans experimental composition, multimedia opera, and community-driven music initiatives.

Education:

• PhD, Music Composition – Princeton University (2015)
• MA, Music Composition – Princeton University (2009)
• BA, Music Composition & Near Eastern Languages – Yale University (2004)

Research & Practice: Fefferman explores idiosyncratic music-making, feminist midrash (e.g., White Fire), and interdisciplinary collaborations. She co-founded Exapno (a Brooklyn music space), the New Music Gathering, and leads the New Music Bake Sale.

Recent Trends in Works: Her compositions often blend live electronics, vocal processing, and narrative storytelling. Recent projects like White Fire reimagine biblical texts through a feminist lens, while Here I Am merges multimedia elements with ensemble performance.

Awards & Residencies:

• LABA Fellow (2015–2016), HARP Residency (2015–2016)
• Nokia Bell Labs EAT Residency (2018–2019)
• Jerome Foundation Residency (2013–2014)

Teaching & Community: Advises students in VCFA’s MFA program and teaches courses at Stevens. Leads Sideband, a laptop ensemble performing globally. Her work in community-building includes organizing national conferences like the New Music Gathering.

Labs/Teams: Co-founder of Exapno, Sideband, and the New Music Gathering; collaborates with ensembles like JACK Quartet and Sō Percussion.