Who is Heard? Age, Gender, Belonging, and ‘Genius’ Music

This lecture-recital, as part of Dr Judith Valerie Engel’s doctoral degree requirement, explores how ideas of ‘genius,’ meritocracy, and success shape—and often constrain—the careers of contemporary women composers. Drawing on her thesis research with members of the Association of Canadian Women Composers, Dr Engel’s talk brings together critical reflection and live music performance.
The lecture examines ongoing structural and cultural challenges in the field of composition, including experiences of discrimination, the legacy of #MeToo, and the persistence of exclusionary narratives around artistic ‘genius.’ Particular attention is given to the intersection of age and gender, such as the systemic ageism embedded in age-restricted competitions and calls for scores. At the same time, the lecture-recital highlights how women composers are redefining and reclaiming their creative identities, reshaping what it means to compose and to succeed on their own terms.
The program features live musical examples by Elinor Dunsmuir—Canada’s (mostly) undiscovered gay icon of Classical music—whose work offers a compelling historical perspective on the modes of dismissal that have long shaped the reception of women composers. Dr Engel will be joined by members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the classically-trained singer Shani Cohen.
Dr Judith Valerie Engel is an Austrian concert pianist, musicologist, and feminist scholar. In 2025 she completed a DPhil in Historical Musicology at the University of Oxford as a Stone-Mallabar Music Scholar at Christ Church (College). Currently, she is finishing up a DMA at the University of British Columbia as a member of the university’s Public Scholars initiative, and funded by the Infrastructure and Integration Lab at the Department of Sociology.
 
 
Shani Cohen’s rich, powerful mezzo-soprano voice is comfortable whether on the opera stage, the concert hall, or the synagogue sanctuary. She has been serving as the cantor of Temple Sholom synagogue in Vancouver since 2021. She holds a Master of Sacred Music and Cantorial Ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York (2021) and a Master of Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Houston (2013).  Past credits include Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Giulietta (Les Contes D’Hoffman), Tisbe (La Cenerentola), Kara Sondstromm (Frau Margot), and Vera Boronel (The Consul). Recently, she has performed with the Vancouver Opera Chorus, Northwestern University, Opera Lirica, the Chutzpah! Festival, the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and Temple Sholom synagogue.
Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: 
Domagoj Ivanovic, violin I
David Lakirovich, violin II
Jacob van der Sloot, viola
Eva Lakirovich, cello