Catherine Likhuta (b. 1981) is a Ukrainian-Australian composer, pianist and recording artist. Her music exhibits high emotional charge, programmatic nature, rhythmic complexity and Ukrainian folk elements. Likhuta’s pieces have been played extensively around the world, including highly prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage), Glyndebourne Opera House (Organ Room), five International Horn Symposiums and two World Saxophone Congresses, as well as many festivals and conferences. Her works have been commissioned and performed by prominent symphony orchestras (such as Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, The Ohio State University Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of the National Radio of Ukraine), chamber ensembles (such as Atlantic Brass Quintet, Ensemble Q, ICE, Lyrebird Brass, NU CORNO and U.S. Army Field Band Horns) and soloists (including former presidents of the North American Saxophone Alliance Griffin Campbell and the International Horn Society Andrew Pelletier).
Catherine has held residencies at Tyalgum Music Festival, North Carolina NewMusic Initiative, University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Georgia and other institutions; upcoming residencies include The Ohio State University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cornell University and Syracuse University. She is a two-time winner of the International Horn Society Composition Contest (virtuoso division) and a recipient of several awards, including two grants from the Australia Council for the Arts. Her music can be heard on Albany, Cala, Common Tone, Equilibrium and Summit Records. Horn virtuosa Denise Tryon’s album Hope Springs Eternal featuring Catherine’s piece Vivid Dreams was awarded the 2022 American Prize in Instrumental Performance.
Catherine’s wind band works have enjoyed performances by Dallas Winds, University of Texas Wind Symphony, Columbia University Wind Ensemble, SUNY Potsdam Crane Wind Ensemble, Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony, University of Georgia Hodgson Wind Ensemble, University of Kentucky Wind Symphony and dozens of other groups. Her music has been played at Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (Sydney), 2020 and 2022 CBDNA Conferences and Midwest Clinic (Chicago, IL).
Catherine holds a bachelor's degree in jazz piano from Kyiv Glière Music College, a five-year post-graduate degree in composition from the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine (Kyiv Conservatory), and a PhD in composition from the University of Queensland. She is an active performer, often playing her own music. She was the soloist on the premiere and the CD recording of Out Loud, her piano concerto commissioned by the Cornell University Wind Ensemble, and the pianist on Adam Unsworth’s CD, Snapshots. Together with her collaborators, she has played numerous recitals, including ones at a World Saxophone Congress, two International Horn Symposiums, Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University and University of Michigan.
Visit catherinelikhuta.com
Ohio State School of Music Events
- Nov. 17: Symphony Orchestra performs world premiere of The Land of Tomorrow by Catherine Likhuta
- Nov. 18: Symphonic Band performs Planet B by Catherine Likhuta
- Nov. 21: Catherine Likhuta presents chamber lecture-recital
In partnership with The Ohio State University Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies
