composeHERS
About Her
Lettie Beckon Alston was a groundbreaking African American composer and pianist whose music expanded the possibilities of contemporary classical sound. Born in Detroit, she studied at Wayne State University and later became the first African American woman to earn a doctorate in composition from the University of Michigan.
Alston’s work embraced a wide spectrum of styles—spanning orchestral, chamber, solo piano, and electronic music—and was noted for its rhythmic intricacy, bold harmonic language, and innovative textures. As a pianist, she often performed her own compositions, many of which explored extended techniques and prepared piano.
In 1995, she launched Lettie Alston and Friends, a concert series that elevated underrepresented voices in contemporary music. Her works, such as Visions, Pulsations, and Metamorphosis, reflect a composer unafraid to challenge conventions, weaving together avant-garde experimentation with African American musical traditions.
Alston’s music was both intellectually rigorous and emotionally resonant, often exploring themes of identity, resilience, and transformation. She was a fierce advocate for diversity in classical music and created platforms that empowered marginalized artists.
Her legacy endures through her trailblazing compositions and the space she carved for future generations of Black women in music. Lettie Beckon Alston remains a vital figure in American music history—a visionary who reshaped the landscape of modern composition.