Silvija Miliūnaitė

Silvija Miliūnaitė is a contemporary Lithuanian composer whose creative portfolio spans concert music, works for theatre and dance, and interdisciplinary projects. In 2026, she was nominated for the Auksinis scenos kryžius (Golden Cross of the Stage) in the category of Performance of the Year for Children and Youth for the production „Panama labai graži“. Described in the international press as a "rising star of Lithuania" (erpmusic.com), the composer combines subtle micromelodic movement, vivid rhythm, and emotional clarity in her music. Minimalist and neo-romantic aesthetics in Silvija's works intertwine with her experience as a performer and the traditions of Baroque and Classical music, while electronics are often employed as a means of expression that complements the acoustic sound.

In recent years, the composer has created a series of prominent stage and concert works. In 2025, the Klaipėdos valstybinis muzikinis teatras presented the dance performance for children „Panama labai graži“, while the Lietuvos nacionalinis operos ir baleto teatras (LNOBT) saw the premiere of the ballet „Saulės dukros“, staged by the Neli Beliakaitės Baltijos baleto akademija. That same year, the first Lithuanian double concerto for percussion and string orchestra, „Fire Games for Two“, was presented at the Gaida festival, along with the premieres of the performances „Muzikos miestas“ and „Žemaitė N. 18 (0)“. Her creative output is further enriched by the dance performance for children „Pelėda Drūlija“ (staged by the Ansamblis „Lietuva“ in 2024), the play „Camino Real“ (presented at the Panevėžio J. Miltinio dramos teatras in 2023), and the dance performance „Einu namo“, which debuted in Visaginas in 2022.

Earlier notable works include the dance-movement film „Anapus sienų“ (2021), the ballet for children „Kai atbunda žaislai“ (2021), the work for soprano and string orchestra „Iš tamsos į šviesą“ (2021), and the composition for string orchestra „Black Grass Town“ (2019), dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Silvija's music is performed by acclaimed ensembles, including the Lietuvos kamerinis orkestras, the Lietuvos valstybinis simfoninis orkestras, the Šv. Kristoforo kamerinis orkestras, the Kauno simfoninis orkestras, Kremerata Lituanica, the Valstybinis ansamblis „Lietuva“, and others. Her compositions are interpreted by renowned soloists on both Lithuanian and international stages, actively contributing to the contemporary music repertoire.

S. Miliūnaitė's work is widely presented at international festivals such as Gaida, Vilniaus festivalis, Pažaislio muzikos festivalis, Glasperlenspiel (Estonia), and Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad (Switzerland), among others. In the field of interdisciplinary projects, the musical photography exhibition „Kelias migloje“ (initiated by the author together with V. Usinavičius-Augulis) stands out, where electroacoustic music and analog photographic art merge into a seamless narrative. International recognition is also marked by the piece for two violins and electronics, „Green Journey“, dedicated to the centenary of friendship between Japan and Lithuania, which premiered in Kanazawa, Japan. The author's work also shows an openness to impulses from popular culture, evidenced by her collaboration with the cult rock band Antis, whose album „Baisiai džiugu“ featured the composer’s „Antisimfonija“. Her works are performed not only in Lithuania but also in Japan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Hungary, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Estonia, and Latvia.

Silvija Miliūnaitė studied violin and composition at the Kauno Juozo Naujalio muzikos gimnazija (class of teacher Algirdas Brilius). In 2019, she earned a Bachelor's degree, and in 2022, a Master's degree in Composition from the Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademija, under the tutelage of Prof. Mindaugas Urbaitis.