Malaika Paralkar – Composer

Malaika Paralkar (b. 2001) is a composer from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on creating shifting atmospheres through the exploration of harmony and timbre, often featuring extended techniques and aleatoric passages. Many of her works also have environmental themes, drawing inspiration from the relationship between people and the environment. She has been a frequent collaborator of SAGA Chamber Music, and has had her work performed by ensembles including the New Thread Quartet, Singularity Saxophone Quartet, Hub New Music, the Rhythm Method, BlackBox Ensemble, Akropolis Reed Quintet, and Hypercube. 

Currently a student at NYU, Malaika is working on her M.M. in Music Theory and Concert Composition as a student of Dr. Jerica Oblak and Dr. Robert Honstein. Malaika received her B.M. in Music Composition and in Music History from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2023.

Recent projects include Hourglass, an in-progress work for solo, unaccompanied flute, in which she draws on her experience playing both Western concert flute and bansuri, as well as many other influences to reflect on the passage of time and the temporal nature of music as an artform.