With almost 40 applications entered into the inaugural OpusHER competition, we are over the moon to announce that the winner is Molly Frances Arnuk! We were immediately captivated by Molly’s passion for making contemporary music more accessible, and her attention to detail, but most importantly the fact she wanted joy to be central to the piece, which perfectly reflects her warm personality!

Brooklyn-born composer Molly Frances Arnuk began her studies in 2019 at Manhattan School of Music Precollege with Dan Bar-Hava, as well as privately with Ionel Petroi. During this time, she made her international debut with Music and More Summerfest, premiering A Poem for Hope at the Museum of Herzegovina Trebinje. In 2021 Molly moved to London to pursue her undergraduate degree at the Royal College of Music with Professors Haris Kittos and Catherine Kontz as a Big Give Scholar. Currently in her fourth and final year of study, Molly has seen her music performed across London and beyond. Notably, Unspinning was choreographed and performed in an English National Ballet School Showcase at The Wallace Collection in May 2023. The following spring Molly was featured in the Contemporary Music Series at St. Mary Le Strand, a series of portrait concerts highlighting emerging composers. In August 2024, In the Great Park, written for the Fiora quartet, was given its second performance by the Quiron quartet at Guimaraes Classico festival. Molly describes her music as process-based and collaborative and credits her upbringing as a violist for her interest in contemporary performance practice.

A note from Molly…

“Winning OpusHER is such an exciting opportunity. The support from knowledgeable mentors and instrumentalists will guide me to produce music that I am proud to share. Having my piece performed in the EMPOWER events alongside works by inspiring women is a big step in my emerging career as a composer, allowing my voice to reach wider audiences and forge important connections.”

We are so excited for our first collaboration and can’t wait to share this journey with you all!

Gratefully supported by nkoda