by Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte

With a legacy of composition supporting her past and future, pianist and composer Liliya Ugay forges forward at Florida State University’s 3rd annual Festival of the Creative Arts this month with a new collaborative piece that explores the intersection of poetry and music.

The audience is invited to sing along in a premiere with the University Symphony Orchestra and University Choirs. Poet David Kirby has written a new text, “Happy Chemicals,” which has been set to music by composer Ugay, and will be presented at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on Saturday, Feb. 24.

At the age of 4, on the eve of the new year, Ugay asked her mother to teach her the piano. Being a musician herself and knowing that her daughter’s birthday was nearing, she told her to wait until she was 5. The anticipation led to eagerness and excitement, which eventually grew into a passion for making music that has followed Ugay into adulthood.

As a child living in Uzbekistan, studying music meant working within a classical music educational system Ugay describes as “inherited from the times of being one of the Soviet states.” The vigor expected from each student could be interpreted by many as grueling and stressful.

Students were expected to practice their instruments a minimum of 3-4 hours a day while equally focusing many hours on the study of music theory, literature, and other necessary skills. But Ugay admits to loving every minute of the 12 years she spent at a special music school.

“I thoroughly loved my school. I can’t remember ever being forced to practice or do anything music-related. I could practice piano up to seven hours a day as a fourth grader,” Ugay said. “Some people think that children can do so much music practicing only by being forced, which is not true at all.”

Ugay attributes her success to the environment created by inspiring teachers and filled with equally creative students, all dedicated to music. 

Eventually, Ugay moved to the United States to continue her music performance and composition studies. She moved to Georgia to attend Columbus State University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Performance. Ugay pursued masters and doctoral degrees in composition from Yale’s prestigious School of Music.

In the summer of 2019, she found her way back to the South when she accepted a job at Florida State University, where she currently serves as an assistant professor of composition and director of Polymorphia, the University’s new music ensemble. Ugay evolved as a pianist, composer, and educator through her academic journey. She has since collaborated with many symphonies, and her music has been played around the globe.

Read more on the Tallahassee Democrat.