Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke (b. 1977)

A Tanzania-born American living in Tennessee, Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke is a neo-classical composer and lyricist whose extensive opus includes chamber, choral, art songs, and orchestral works. Her music has been heard from coast to coast and in Europe. She holds a graduate degree in composition and studied with Drs. Margarita Merriman, Barney Childs, and Kenneth Jacobs. In 1995, she co-founded the Greater Tri-Cities Composers’ Consortium, her music has been in every group production since, and often is the Consortium’s PR writer—including national press. She received top honors in the 2002 Carton Savage international “I Wage Peace” project for her “Salaam, Frieden.” Three of her pieces were included in the 2005 Appalachian Music Teachers’ Association Piano Anthology and she was 2005 AMTA Composer of the Year. Pursley-Kopitzke also teaches music at Northeast State Community College.

Evelyn states that she is grateful for the continued support of and collaboration with performers and hopes to continue to communicate drama, grace, and beauty for all listeners.