Leah Reid

Dr. Leah Reid is an Assistant Professor of Composition at the University of Virginia, where she teaches courses in composition and technology. Her work bridges music composition, electroacoustic music, and sound art through explorations of timbre, space, and perception.

• D.M.A. and M.A. in Music Composition, Stanford University
• B.Mus, McGill University

Reid’s research focuses on the perceptual modeling of timbre and its applications in creating immersive soundscapes. She has developed a multidimensional timbre model to explore relationships between reverberant space and timbre, often using interactive sound installations and electroacoustic techniques. Her recent articles/compositions emphasize spectral density, timbral transformation, and spatial audio design.

Reid is a Vice President of the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM), Vice President for Programs and Projects for the Society of Electroacoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS), and Artistic Director of the Boston New Music Initiative (BNMI). She has received commissions from ensembles including Accordant Commons, Jack Quartet, and Yarn/Wire, with presentations at international festivals such as ICMC, ManiFeste, and Tilde New Music Festival.

• 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship
• American Prize in Composition
• Pauline Oliveros Award (IAWM)
• Fellowships from MacDowell, Yaddo, and Copland House

Her collaborative projects and educational outreach highlight her engagement with emerging composers and technology-driven music. Reid’s works are published by Ablaze Records, New Focus Recordings, and BabelScores, reflecting her influence in contemporary acousmatic and electroacoustic circles.