Ilana Zaks
SOUND WORLDS
A multimedia violin and electronics recital by Ilana Zaks
Overview:
Sound Worlds is a one-hour multimedia concert of new music for violin and electronics that invites
audiences to reflect on identity, memory, illness, and resilience through immersive soundscapes. Curated
and performed by violinist Ilana Zaks, the program features four innovative composers, each bringing a
distinct and underrepresented voice to contemporary music.
The concert experience fosters deep listening and community dialogue around themes such as
survivorship, digital life, and artistic vulnerability. The works range from ambient textures to rhythmically
driven narratives, incorporating extended violin techniques, field recordings, and interactive electronics.
Each piece is introduced with context and personal reflections to enhance audience connection.
Program Repertoire (approx. 1 hour, no intermission):
● Silent Moment – Hunter Prueger (2023)
● A Year with Cancer – Brannon Warn-Johnston (2024)
● Shadow Steps – Patrick Long (2021)
● Video Game Vespers – Aaron Levin (2023)
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Technical Requirements:
● Stereo audio playback
● Projector and screen (for optional video elements)
● Two DI inputs for a laptop audio interface
● Soundcheck: 60 minutes before performance
Community Engagement Offerings:
● Post-performance Q&A with artist and guest collaborators
● Educational workshop or pre-concert talk for students and local artists
● Access partnerships for youth, senior, and low-income audiences
Previous and Committed Support:
Ilana Zaks; Sound Worlds with Media updated on May 23 2025
● 2024 Burien Arts and Culture Grant (WA)
● 2025 Kent, Auburn, and Bellevue Cultural Grants (WA)
● Yale Center for Collaborative Arts & Media
● Slifka Center Blanksteen Fellowship – Yale University
● Fontainebleau Music Festival (France)
● Seattle Symphony Merriman-Ross Young Composers Workshop (2023–2024)
● Bellevue City Hall Plaza Community Fund Award Winner – June 2025
● Winter Park Library: Performance on September 27, 2025
Contact
Location
No address listed.
Qualifications
Maintains general liability insurance
Provides study guides for teachers and or students
Provide Lesson Plans
Provides tools to assess student learning (workshops and residencies)
Instructors receive annual professional development training
Conducts ongoing assessments of program quality
Standards are customized for every classroom visit
