Maggie Martin

Long Biography (350 words)

Maggie Martin (she/her) is currently a graduate student at the University of South Carolina completing her Masters of Music in Composition. She recieved her Bachelor's of Music at Appalachian State University with a concentration in Music Theory and Composition studying with Dr. Andrew Hannon.  She spends her time writing for a variety of different musical mediums, from instrumental and choral to electronic media. Maggie focuses a large amount of her compositional efforts on collaboration, including interdisciplinary works including works such as "Held", a fixed media and choreography project recently premiered. Her works have been performed at the Midatlantic Flute Convention, Valborg Theater, and some high schools. 

Maggie is inspired by ambient and atmospheric music, especially video game soundtracks such as Austin Wintory's work on ABZU, Christopher Larkin's work on Hollow Knight, and Gareth Coker's work on Ori and the Blind Forest. Her works for instruments are loosely inspired by composers like Cait Nishimura, Caroline Shaw, and David Maslanka. Maggie's music expresses emotion onto her audience as it does onto her, focusing on harmony and different timbres to create the sound she wishes to achieve. She aims for her music to tell a story her musicians and audience alike can relate their own tales to. She is also dedicated to the furtherment of female, non-binary, POC, and LGBTQ+ composers and musicians throughout the music industry.

As a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, initiated Spring 2023, Maggie has served as Fraternity Education Committee Head, Sergeant-at-Arms, Vice President of Ritual, and President of the Epsilon Theta chapter at Appalachian State University. She has also been awarded a national award, the Sword of Honor, after being nominated by her chapter. Alongside Sigma Alpha Iota, Maggie is also a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, initiated Spring 2025. Also during her undergraduate time, she served as President of the Appalachian Student Composers Association, an organization dedicated to the development of student composers.

Maggie currently serves as the Graduate Assistant for the Southern Exposure New Music Series at the University of South Carolina, as well as the New Voices concert series. At the end of her day, Maggie enjoys playing video games, taking on other creative hobbies, and a cozy nap with her cat, Dexter.