“Pulitzer Prize winner Susie Ibarra connects percussion, nature and biodiversity.”

Susie Ibarra is a Filipino-American composer, percussionist, and sound artist. In 2025, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for Sky Islands, an interdisciplinary work that connects ecosystems, biodiversity, and musical traditions. Ibarra actively advocates for the preservation of indigenous musical cultures, such as musika katutubo from the Philippines, and supports initiatives related to water management, climate, and education for women and girls.

Sky Islands draws inspiration from the musical traditions of Luzon and translates them into a performative sound installation. The work alludes to the so-called ‘sky islands’: isolated high-altitude mountain regions that harbor unique ecosystems and exceptional biodiversity. The interwoven rhythms and melodies of bamboo, gong, and flute music from the Kalinga and Cordillera regions resonate through the music.

With Sky Islands, Ibarra connects musical innovation to ecological awareness. The work draws attention to the endangered rainforests of Luzon, and invites us to rethink our relationship with vulnerable ecosystems and the changing climate. Through spoken text, carried by Glass’ repetitive and minimalist music, M. reflects on her memories, her sense of otherness, and her transition. Drawing from their own experiences of being trans, director Paige Eakin Young and performer Mara Snip guide you through a playful exploration of desire, shame, and joy.