Lila Katzen is an American composer, pianist, and multimedia artist associated with the avant‑garde and experimental music movements that emerged in the United States during the late twentieth century. Her work is characterized by the use of prepared piano, extended vocal and instrumental techniques, and the integration of visual and electronic media into live performance.
Katzen studied composition at Columbia University, where she worked with faculty members such as Otto Luening. She later pursued graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Early in her career she collaborated with contemporary dance companies, including the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and her music was performed at venues known for experimental art, such as The Kitchen in New York City.
Her compositional output includes solo piano pieces, chamber works, electro‑acoustic compositions, and scores for independent film and theater. Across these genres she frequently explores non‑traditional sound sources, stochastic processes, and spatial distribution of sound. Recordings of her works have appeared on independent labels dedicated to contemporary music, and her pieces have been presented at festivals and concerts such as the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World Music Days, the New York Biennial, and the Bang on a Can Summer Festival.
In addition to composing and performing, Katzen has held academic positions at institutions including the New School for Social Research, where she directed a composition program, and the Manhattan School of Music. She has lectured on topics related to new music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and has served on panels for arts funding organizations.
Critics have described Katzen’s music as physically demanding for performers and noted its economical use of material to generate complex acoustic textures. As of the most recent publicly available information, she continues to reside in New York City and remains active in composing, performing, and curating experimental music events.