Dayton Kinney wins 2nd Prize in the American Prize for Opera/Theater/Film in the student division for her opera "Cold Hands"

Founded in 2009 and awarded annually, The American Prize recognizes the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels.

Dayton Kinney creates music that has won and has been recognized for numerous competitions at the international, national, and state levels. Performed in the U.S. and abroad, Dayton’s music has had notable performances by Deviant Septet, ICE, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Rela Percussion, Zodiac Trio, the Serpili Sisters, and at Pittsburgh Opera.  Dayton’s eclectic style is inspired from neo-romantic-ideals, juxtapositions, and accessibility. Her current compositional obsession explores the concept of the “in-between” grey-area of “tonality” and “atonality” through shapes, patterns, direction, sectional comparisons, and repetition, all found throughout her works.

Dayton is a doctoral student for a Ph.D. in Music - Composition at Duke University, studying with John Supko. Dayton earned her Masters of Music in Composition at Carnegie Mellon University. Dayton also holds a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude with Honors in Music from Smith College. Her previous composition teachers include Leonardo Balada, Salvatore Macchia, Melinda Wagner, and Alla Elana Cohen.

Read more about The American Prize and this year's winners.