Bio

Akshaya Avril Tucker (she/they) is a Los Angeles-based composer, songwriter and dancer. Their work explores themes of care and presence, investigating our relationship to self, community, the natural world, and the climate crisis. Akshaya trained as an Odissi (Classical East Indian) dancer from a young age and her work often draws upon the music and dance traditions of South Asia, in collaboration with the experts of these styles, including vocalist Saili Oak and Leela Dance Collective. In 2025, she was the composer-in-residence at the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival and the WindSync Onstage-Offstage Chamber Music Festival. Her string quartet “Hollow Flame” is featured on Brooklyn Rider’s latest album, The Four Elements. Akshaya has received commissions from Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Rider, Piano Spheres, The Living Earth Show, the Fry Street Quartet, Johnny Gandelsman, ChatterABQ, WindSync, Carpe Diem String Quartet and more. Her music has been performed by A Far Cry, members of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Salastina, Tallā Rouge Duo, and others. She received an ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award in 2019. Akshaya serves as Instructor of Music Composition at Interlochen Arts Camp (Interlochen, MI). 

bio updated February 2026