Compose Like a Girl

Compose Like a Girl

Jocelyn Hagen shares conversations with composers as a part of Compose Like a Girl, an initiative that amplifies female-identifying composers, helps conductors diversify their concerts, and works toward more equality in music programming and commissioning.

Episodes

May 28, 2026 53 mins

In this episode, Jocelyn talks with Nathalie Joachim about different musical modalities as vehicles for creative expression, being present and resisting the pressures of capitalist-demanded output, and unlearning perfectionism. 

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Nathalie Joachim

Flutronix

Fanm d'Ayit...

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In this episode, Jocelyn talks with Alex Shapiro about writing from your gut and your heart, the compositional process behind her pieces Spark and Tight Squeeze, and how to prevent the gerbils in your mind from taking over your creative process. 

 

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Tight Squeeze commissi...

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In this episode, Jocelyn talks with Gabriela Lena Frank about the multitudes of her music, which spans intimate explorations of love and loss to the multi-generational effects of colonialism. They also discuss responsibly engaging with trauma, mentoring the next generation of composers, and writing music for a universe where there’s no oppression. 

 

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Shara Nova joins Jocelyn to talk about her many and multi-faceted musical endeavors. They discuss music's role in love, loss, family, and why everyone should try to make a joyful musical noise together.  

 

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AwRY

My Brightest Diamond

Bring Me the Workhorse - Golden S...

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Mari Esabel Valverde joins Jocelyn to talk language, unlearning shame, gender, and pathways to excellence for the under-resourced. 

 

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Before Spring

To digte af Tove Ditlevsen | Performed by Matthew Valverde, tenor

Darest, O Soul | Performed by Cantus

Earth, Mother |...

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Season 2 of Compose Like a Girl will launch later this week!

 

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Emily Drum joins Jocelyn for a conversation on today’s bonus episode! 

 

Emily (she/her) is a singer, arranger, composer, vocal producer, songwriter, and educator living in Phoenix, AZ. During her time at the University of Arizona, she became the driving force behind the award-winning a cappella group Amplified, serving as director, arranger, and producer. In addition to leading the group to historic success in the Varsity Vocals I...

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Sherry Blevins joins Jocelyn for a conversation on today’s bonus episode! 

 

Sherry is an award-winning composer/lyricist, conductor/clinician, and an award-winning music educator. Her first piece was published in 2018. Since then, more than 17 of her pieces have been published, and she is now with four publishing houses including Hinshaw, Fred Bock, BriLee, and JH Music. Since then, she has enjoyed composing for and with a variety...

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Ritika Bhattacharjee joins Jocelyn for a conversation on today’s bonus episode! 

Ritika is a composer, pianist, and vocalist who performs in jazz combos and big bands, plays for contemporary dance productions with Ventana Ballet, and underscores fully improvised musicals at Merlin Works, The Hideout, The Fallout, and ColdTowne Theatre. Her multi-media composition portfolio includes the scores for three short films, a video game, an...

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Patti Arntz joins Jocelyn for a conversation on today’s bonus episode! 

 

Patti has been a music educator and church musician in the Twin Cities area for over 40 years. She has degrees in music from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN and Drake University, Des Moines, IA and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.

She recently retired from teaching elementary music with the Robbinsdale Area Scho...

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Grace Becker joins Jocelyn for a conversation on today’s bonus episode! 

 

Grace is an amateur composer who is excited to share her passion for spreading joy and writing music with the world. Grace grew up singing in choirs in her hometown Bloomington, MN and began composing in her second year of college. She quickly found purpose in the vulnerable, honest nature of this process. She has since composed a handful of songs, with her ...

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Rosephanye Powell joins Jocelyn to talk about Black music, storytelling, music-making as service, and much more. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

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Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

Music by Cicely Parnas. Additional Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

 

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Ro...

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B.E. Boykin joins Jocelyn to talk about curriculum, the collaborative energy between singers and pianists, and finding mentorship among friends. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

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Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

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B.E. Boykin

 

Spelman College

Geo...

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Cecilia McDowall joins Jocelyn to talk about drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, leading with curiosity, and the truth that it’s never too late to find your compositional path. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

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Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

Additional music by Blue D...

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January 19, 2024 49 mins

Reena Esmail joins Jocelyn to talk about finding our truth. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

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Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

Transcript PDF

 

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Reena Esmail 

 

Black Iris (formerly #metoo) performed by Chicago Sinfonietta

Tuttarrana (SATB)

Tuttarrana (Brass Quin...

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November 21, 2023 39 mins

Angélica Negrón joins Jocelyn to talk about the value of play, collaboration, and how classicism shows up in education. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

Companion playlists: Youtube, Spotify

Support us: Subscribe on Patreon

Follow us: @composelikeagirl on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

Transcript PDF

 

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Angélica Negrón

 

2022 Hermitage Greenfield Prize 

New Yor...

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Chen Yi joins Jocelyn to share her approaches to blending classical compositional styles and teaching. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

Companion playlists: Youtube, Spotify

Support us: Subscribe on Patreon

Follow us: @composelikeagirl on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

Transcript PDF

 

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Chen Yi 

https://www.presser.com/chen-yi-at-70 https://conservatory.umkc.ed...

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Dale Trumbore joins Jocelyn to talk about the pressure of proving ourselves, reclaiming space, and healing. Hear the full conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

Companion playlists: Youtube, Spotify

Support us: Subscribe on Patreon

Follow us: @composelikeagirl on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

Transcript PDF

 

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Dale Trumbore 

 

Staying Composed, Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Wit...

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Sarah Kirkland Snider joins Jocelyn on the inaugural episode of the Compose Like a Girl Podcast to talk about craft, sincerity, and gender perceptions in classical music. Hear the full, unedited conversation by becoming a Patreon subscriber. 

Youtube Companion Playlist, Spotify Companion Playlist

 

Support us: Subscribe on Patreon

Follow us: @composelikeagirl on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

 

Transcript PD...

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August 7, 2023 3 mins

Trailer! On this new Compose Like a Girl podcast, Jocelyn Hagen shares conversations with composers as a part of her larger initiative that amplifies female-identifying composers, helps conductors diversify their concerts, and works toward more equality in music programming and commissioning. 

 

Support us: Subscribe on Patreon

Follow us: @composelikeagirl on Instagram and Facebook

Learn more: Compose Like a Girl

Listen
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Mark as Played

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