Veronika Reutz Drobnić is a composer and researcher of new music, renowned for her innovative approaches to non-traditional and visual scores, instrumental composition utilizing pre-existing, often folk-based materials, and captivating performances that merge improvisation and performative elements. Her research explores the neurocognitive and perceptual processes involved in performing graphic and animated scores, examining how visual notation affects musicians’ stress, embodiment, and creativity. She develops interdisciplinary methodologies combining music composition, cognitive neuroscience, and visual arts, with a focus on designing novel interactive, animated, and 3D scoring systems that challenge conventional composer–performer dynamics and open new pathways for embodied musical interpretation.She studied at the Music Academy in Zagreb for a year, after which she completed her bachelor's degree at HDMK Stuttgart under the guidance of mentors such as Martin Schüttler, Jennifer Walshe, and Joanna Bailie. Continuing her pursuit of excellence, she pursued her master's degree at HfM Karlsruhe, studying with Markus Hechtle and Wolfgang Rihm. Additionally, Veronika has also expanded her knowledge and expertise through study at the Kunitachi College of Music with Motoharu Kawashima.Veronika is a freelance composer and a PhD candidate at the HfM Karlsruhe and ZHdK Zürich, currently on a research Erasmus semester at KMH Stockholm. Throughout her career, Veronika's compositions have garnered international recognition and have been performed at prestigious festivals worldwide. Some notable appearances include the IMPULS festival in Germany, Suntory Hall Summer in Japan, HNK Zagreb and Music Biennale Zagreb in Croatia, Oak Bay Festival in Canada, Mixtur Festival Barcelona and Agorà Forum & Sounds in Italy, among many others.Her unique artistic vision has earned her numerous scholarships and grants, including the esteemed BW Stipendium grant, ZONTA stipend for best women in music, GdF grant, PROMOS grant and the Deutschlandsstipendium. Veronika has been the recipient of several prestigious prizes and residencies, including the Suntory Hall composition competition prize Japan, the Croatian Cultural Association composition prize, Oak bay competition Prize Canada, Piazza del Mondo prize Italy, Ensemble Identität composition prize in Korea, SEED Project composition prize Japan/USA, Salastina Composer Collective competition prize and residency, Female Affairs Residency, S/UMAS composition competition, Cantus ensemble young composer prize 2026, SWR Orchestra composition competition prize, and the mandolin orchestra prize of The Croatian Cultural Association.Her ballet 'Black Puzzle ~ Still, I Rise' is in the regular repertoire of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. Her PhD work is currently supported by the Cusanuswerk stipend for the best PhD projects in Germany.Newest paper on neurocognitive aspects of graphic notation: ResearchGate

Contact

veronika.reutz(at)gmail.com