Mia Zabelka

Mia Zabelka began violin lessons at the age of seven and, alongside her classical studies with Alexander Arenkov at the Conservatory of Vienna, started performing in jazz and rock bands. She went on to study counterpoint with Kurt Schwertsik, electroacoustic music with Dieter Kaufmann, and composition with Roman Haubenstock-Ramati at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

Since her debut release Somateme in 1987, the violinist and composer has incorporated live electronics and extended techniques into her musical language, exploring sound and noise as physical phenomena based on the de- and reconstruction of violin timbre. The Austrian musician, composer, and vocalist is regarded as one of the leading figures in the international electroacoustic music scene. Her work is known for its innovative, genre-defying approach that blends elements of noise, drone, and improvisation. In performance, she uses extended violin techniques, electronic effects, and unconventional methods to create immersive sonic experiences.

In 2008, she founded Klanghaus, a center for sound art in southern Styria. Since 2009, she has served as the artistic director of phonofemme Vienna, an international festival for experimental music by women. In 2015, she became president of SFIEMA, and in 2019, vice president of the Austrian Composers Association. Zabelka collaborates with artists across diverse musical genres and performs at festivals worldwide.

She has received numerous awards and honors, most recently the Akademia Music Award in 2018 for her commissioned piece Für Pauline Oliveros (musikprotokoll & Austrian Cultural Forum New York), and the Austrian Art Prize for Music in 2021.

Since 2021, Mia Zabelka has been an honorary member of the alumni association of MUK – the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna.