Jennifer Higdon is an acclaimed American composer known for her contributions to contemporary classical music. Born on December 31, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York, she has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2010 for her work "Violin Concerto." Higdon's compositions often blend traditional and modern elements, making her music accessible to a wide audience. Higdon has written a variety of works, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, and operas. Her notable compositions include "Blue Cathedral," which is frequently performed by orchestras, and "Cold Mountain," an opera based on the novel by Charles Frazier. She is also a dedicated educator, teaching at Duke University.