Laura Karpman

A composer who brings to her music feverish imagination, impeccable musicianship, complexity, versatility, unbridled joy, and fearlessness, Laura Karpman is, in the words of George Manahan, music director of New York City Opera, “a rare combination of heart and groin.” With four Emmys, a GANG award and numerous nominations, Karpman’s credits include scores such as Steven Spielberg’s 20-hour miniseries Taken, Odyssey 5, Masters of Science Fiction, The Tournament, Craft in America, Man in the Chair, The Annihilation of Fish, and The Living Edens, video games like Microsoft’s new Disneyland Adventure, Everquest 2, Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, Field Commander, additional music for Halo 3 and Jericho, among others. Commissioned by Carnegie Hall, Karpman’s multimedia opera ASK YOUR MAMA, written for Jessye Norman, The Roots, jazz singer, and orchestra, on a text by Langston Hughes, premiered to critical acclaim. Karpman was named one of the most important women in Hollywood by Variety Magazine. She received her doctorate from The Juilliard School where she studied music composition with Milton Babbitt, and is a professor with a joint appointment in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and School of Music.