Sheila Bristow
Sheila Bristow is a composer, church musician, and collaborative keyboardist living in Tacoma, WA. Her compositions are inspired by her love of poetic texts and the beauty of the human voice. Recent choral works include “Winter Solstice” and “At harbor, waiting for wind,” both premiered by Harmonia Orchestra & Chorus. Current projects include a song cycle on the poetry of Harlem Renaissance writer Angelina Weld Grimké, a suite for pipe organ based on the tune “Fisk of Gloucester,” and a work for string orchestra & percussion inspired by the poetry of Paul Claudel.
Sheila studied composition as a Kreielsheimer Scholar at Cornish College of the Arts, and earned a Master of Music in organ performance from the University of Washington. Her composition teachers include Bern Herbolsheimer, John Muehleisen, and Matthew Fuerst. She has received awards from the American Prize and Deus Ex Musica; artist residencies at Hypatia-in-the-Woods and the Sou’wester Lodge; and participated in workshops sponsored by Lehigh University, Vancouver Pro Musica, and Vancouver International Song Institute.
Artist Support Program 2025 (with Ellaina Lewis): Grimké Songs, a newly-composed song cycle for soprano and piano
