Missy Mazzoli

The Philip Glass Ensemble performing Music in Twelve Parts at the Idea Warehouse in 1975, with vocalist Joan La Barbara (far left). The Museum of Modern Art/SCALA/Art Resource, N.Y. hide caption

Missy Mazzoli's new album, Dark with Excessive Bright, features the composer's orchestral compositions. Caroline Tompkins/courtesy of the artist hide caption

"I won't do anything unless I'm mad crazy about the music and the composer and really feeling like they're contributing something to the field that is different," Beth Morrison says. Michael Nagle/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Breaking the Waves explores the relationship between a deeply religious young woman named Bess (played by Keira Duffy) and a Nordic oil worker named Jan. Dominic M. Mercier/Opera Philadelphia hide caption

Missy Mazzoli Courtesy of the artist hide caption

As a young classical composer, Missy Mazzoli borrows music and business strategies from the indie rock world. Stephen Taylor hide caption

The JACK Quartet thrives on high-intensity repertoire. Justin Bernhaut/Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Missy Mazzoli's quintet, Victoire, blurs the boundaries between classical music and other styles. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Missy Mazzoli admires Mozart's sometimes crude sense of humor. Stephen S. Taylor hide caption

Missy Mazzoli and four of her friends founded Victoire in 2007 to play her music. courtesy of the artist hide caption

Missy Mazzoli is at the center of a group of classically trained musicians who've also worked in rock bands. Stephen S. Taylor hide caption