Chaya Czernowin is an Israeli composer. Having studied in Israel, Germany (DAAD grant) and the US, she was invited to live in Japan (Asahi Shimbun Fellowship and American NEA grant), Germany (a fellowship at the Akademie Schloss Solitude). Her works have been performed around the world by some of the best orchestras and performers of new music. At the same time, Chaya has held professorship positions at UCSD (1997–2005), in Vienna University for the performing arts and Music (2006–2009) and at Harvard University (2009 and on). She was also the first woman composition professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria (2006–2009). She was composer in residence in Salzburg Festival 2006/7 and in Lucerne festival 2013.
1. If you don't feel like you MUST compose, do something else. Of course, the understanding might not come immediately — in fact, it is an ongoing discovery. "[This urge] can go away, it can come back," Chaya says. "But, if you know that you don't have a choice but to compose, then work and listen." Reading scores and listening are key factors when it comes to growth.