BIO

Dr. Shilts received their Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, their Masters in Music Composition from Shenandoah University, Master of Arts in Opera Making and Writing from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Miami. Shilts' musical style is influenced by their interest in opera, politics, mental health, and gender expression. As an artist, Shilts is interested in creating music that's expressionistic in emotion, but surreal in experience through temporal manipulation and the distortion of sound.

Their works have been featured in Walden Creative Musicians Retreat, Charlotte New Music Festival, Hypercube Composition Lab, Longy’s Divergent studio, Alba Music Festival, and Marginale Transmedia Arts and Electronic music Festival; their work has been performed by ensembles such as the Mivos Quartet, Hypercube, Loadbang, Arx Duo, Transient Canvas, and The _____ Experiment. In June of 2022, Their chamber opera Samhain Bloom premiered at the Guildhall School, and followed on the heels of their premiere of Le Bistro Poulet by Opera Extra at Shenandoah Conservatory. Shilts was also a finalist in Atlanta Opera's 96-Hour Opera Project in June of 2023.