About Shepherdess
Shepherdess is a duo based in New York City, featuring violinist Hajnal Pivnick and mezzo soprano Kayleigh Butcher. Hajnal and Kayleigh are both contemporary classical performers dedicated to commissioning and disseminating new works by living composers.
Our mission is to commission, program, and record works that are written by composers who represent inclusivity and equity in classical music performance and spaces. Each composer we work with represents a distinct compositional voice, each drawing his/her inspiration from American folk influences, instrumental and vocal extended techniques, and the intersection of social justice and music.
In two years we have commissioned over eight composers, and have received foundational support from New Music USA, Brooklyn Arts Council, and the Johnstone Fund for New Music.
Shepherdess was supported by New Music USA in 2018, which was made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Helen F. Whitaker Fund, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, New York State Council on the Arts, Rockefeller Brothers Fund & Anonymous.
Shepherdess was also supported by the Brooklyn Arts Fund (DCLA) in 2019, which is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
Our mission is to commission, program, and record works that are written by composers who represent inclusivity and equity in classical music performance and spaces. Each composer we work with represents a distinct compositional voice, each drawing his/her inspiration from American folk influences, instrumental and vocal extended techniques, and the intersection of social justice and music.
In two years we have commissioned over eight composers, and have received foundational support from New Music USA, Brooklyn Arts Council, and the Johnstone Fund for New Music.
Shepherdess was supported by New Music USA in 2018, which was made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Helen F. Whitaker Fund, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, New York State Council on the Arts, Rockefeller Brothers Fund & Anonymous.
Shepherdess was also supported by the Brooklyn Arts Fund (DCLA) in 2019, which is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
