PhD Composition student, Jessica Ackerley, won first place at the International Composer Institute of Thailand this past December having spent a week collaborating with the award-winning New Music ensemble, Tacet(i) for the premiere of the piece entitled, “To Grasp the Movement of the Sun.” For the institute, Ackerley was also mentored by UC Berkeley professor, Ken Ueno, and University of Birmingham professor, Scott Wilson. The $1500 commission award to compose for the ensemble will premiere in December 2026 for the next INTACT festival.
“Attending this year’s composer institute formed multiple professional relationships that Iʻm thrilled to continue developing this coming year with the commission award,” stated Ackerley. “Working closely with my mentors and the ensemble, I gained valuable knowledge to enhance my compositional craft and am looking forward to how these new skills will shape my music in the future!”