Kirsty Devaney

Kirsty Devaney is a British composer, workshop leader and music education researcher based in Birmingham. She is a graduate and Junior Fellow of Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied composition with Joe Cutler and Howard Skempton. Kirsty is particularly interested in introducing new music to those who may be less familiar with it and specialises in writing music for young and non-professional musicians. She was shortlisted for a British Composer Award in 2011 for her work with CoMA. In 2014 Kirsty gained a PhD research position at Birmingham City University investigating composing in secondary school education. Her music strives to achieve clarity by refining material and focusing on subtle changes in textures. She enjoys creating new and unusual soundworlds through experimentation with timbre and using extended techniques. Structurally the music grows and develops organically within a harmonic landscape that is familiar but tainted. Compositions have been premiered by a wide range of ensembles such as Orchestra of the Swan, CHROMA, Orkest de Ereprijs, Coull Quartet, Workers Union Ensemble, BCMG and Decibel.