Alumna Penka Kouneva (Ph.D. 1997) composes music for NASA's "Heroes and Legends" exhibit

The one-hour exhibit experience tells the story of the early space exploration and the astronauts who took part in them through 3D films, installations, mini-documentaries, and Augmented Reality. Kouneva's music, recorded with a large orchestra, is modern (hybrid) cinematic scoring -- encompassing drama, action, space, and inspirational themes.

ORIGINAL MUSIC from the NASA Exhibit:

"Heroes and Legends" - Gemini 8

"Heroes and Legends" - John Glenn

Trailer for "Heroes and Legends" - scored by Penka Kouneva

15-min documentary "Making Of Heroes and Legends attraction" scored by Penka Kouneva

Film & game composer of “exquisite talent” (Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands game co-composed with Steve Jablonsky), Penka Kouneva has worked for 15 years in Los Angeles on titles grossing $15 billion world-wide. Her own music is a blend of her Eastern-European upbringing, classical training, modern film & game music, and influences ranging from rock, electronica, Medieval chant to non-Western music. She has made Hollywood history (first woman Lead Orchestrator on films with budget over $100M - Ender’s Game and Elysium). 

Penka has been honored with the Aaron Copland Award, SUNDANCE Composer Fellowship; Hollywood Music In Media Awards, Square Enix Music Online nomination, Independent Music Award; two Ovation Awards, The Visionary Award from Women’s International Film & TV Showcase, GRAND PRIX at the Tokyo Young Composers Competition, Meet the Composer Award, and numerous Artist Fellowships.