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Edie Hill is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1962 in Minnesota, United States. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother being a pianist and her father a singer. Hill started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and the flute. She also sang in choirs and played in bands during her teenage years. Hill attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She then went on to study at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Master of Music degree in composition. Hill also studied at the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado and the European American Musical Alliance in Paris. Hill's music is known for its emotional depth and expressive power. She often draws inspiration from nature, literature, and personal experiences. Her compositions range from solo works to large-scale choral and orchestral pieces. One of Hill's most notable works is her choral cycle "Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins." The cycle consists of five movements, each based on a poem by the English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. The music captures the vivid imagery and emotional intensity of Hopkins' poetry, with lush harmonies and soaring melodies. The cycle has been performed by numerous choirs, including the Dale Warland Singers and the Minnesota Chorale. Another notable work by Hill is her chamber opera "Clay," which tells the story of a woman who discovers a mysterious clay figure in her garden. The opera explores themes of identity, creativity, and the power of the imagination. The music is haunting and atmospheric, with intricate vocal lines and evocative instrumental textures. "Clay" has been performed by several opera companies, including the Center for Contemporary Opera in New York City. Hill has also composed several works for orchestra, including "This Floating World," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra. The piece is a meditation on the transience of life and the beauty of the natural world. The music is lush and expansive, with shimmering strings and soaring brass melodies. In addition to her work as a composer, Hill is also a dedicated educator. She has taught composition at the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College, and has served as a mentor to many young composers. Hill is known for her supportive and collaborative approach to teaching, and for her commitment to helping her students find their own unique voices as composers. Overall, Edie Hill is a composer whose music is characterized by its emotional depth, expressive power, and evocative imagery. Her works have been performed by some of the world's leading ensembles and have earned her numerous awards and accolades. Hill's dedication to teaching and mentoring young composers has also had a profound impact on the world of contemporary classical music.

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