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Lisa has been awarded a 2018 Barlow Commission to compose a 15-minute suite of Symphonic Jazz Etudes for concert pianist Scott Holden.

Lisa is also the recipient of a "Golden Spike Commission" from Utah Opera. Together with librettist Rachel Peters, they will create a chamber opera to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

In June of 2018, the pianist Scott Holden premiered Lisa's first solo piano work, "Toccata No. 1 for Jazz Piano" at Carnegie Hall. The music is now available on iTunes and amazon.com. 

Meet Lisa at the OPERA American Conference in St. Louis, June 20-24 and find out more about THAT HELL-BOUND TRAIN.

About 

Lisa DeSpain is a New York City based composer of musical theatre, opera, and concert works known for her American sound.

She is the recipient of a 2020 NEA Challenge American Award and a 2018 Discovery Grant from OPERA America in support of her blues/jazz opera, THAT HELL-BOUND TRAIN, (libretto by David Simpatico.) Lisa and collaborative partner, Rachel J. Peters are the creative team behind STAGGERWING the winner of the 2020 Zepick Modern Opera Commission (Opera Kansas) celebrating the the historic flight of Louise Thaden and Blanche Noyes as the compete in and win the 1936 Bendix Trophy Air Race - the first year women pilots are allowed to compete.

Lisa and Rachel’s additional works include NO LADIES IN THE LADY’S BOOK (Utah Opera) highlighting women’s contribution to the Transcontinental Railroad, MEN I’M NOT MARRIED TO (Baldwin Wallace/Cleveland Opera Theatre) based on a short story by Dorothy Parker.

Lisa was also a Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellow and writer-in-residence at the Eugene O’Neil Musical Theatre Center for her original musical STORYVILLE created with Oscar Award-winning lyricist, Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

In 2003, Ms DeSpain was awarded a Copland House Residency which profoundly impacted her artistic mission. Inspired by Copland's legacy, Ms. DeSpain strives to explore and expand the boundaries of the American musical language, to create artistic works uniquely identifiable as American.

Lisa has created commissions for a wide range of ensembles including The United States Air Force Band of Flight, Cassatt String Quartet, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, New York Choral Society, New Haven Symphony Orcherchestra, and the womens choir Bella Voce.

Composing for dance, Lisa collaborated with Memphis-born choreographer Donlin Foreman (Buglisi-Foreman Dance,) creating a tryptic of blues influenced dance score; Mean Ole' World, Rise & Fall , and Song with premieres at the New Victory Theatre (NYC), Joyce Theatre (NYC) and Jacobs Pillow.  

A force in the musical theatre education world, Lisa is a Professor at LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) and the go-to arranger for Broadway educational choral works including HAMILTON, ONCE, AMERICAN IDIOT, NEXT TO NORMAL and more.

Lisa's numerous awards include the ASCAP/IAJE Commission Honoring the Duke Ellington Centennial, three American Composers Forum Continental Harmony Commissions, an NEA Jazz Fellowship (in jazz piano), American Music Center Live Music for Dance, and a Barlow Endowment Award.