Jessica Shand

Jessica Shand (she/her) is a performer-composer and researcher currently based at the MIT Media Lab. Her academic and artistic endeavors span creative music, mathematics, critical technology studies, and anything and everything related to her primary instrument, the flute.

As a flutist, Jessica has received recognition from organizations and ensembles worldwide, including first-prize awards in competitions hosted by the National Flute Association, NPR’s From the Top, National YoungArts Foundation, and more. She has performed with the MIT Jazz Combos, International Contemporary Ensemble, Aspen Music Festival and School, Brattle Street Chamber Players, National Youth Orchestra of the USA, Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Pikes Peak Philharmonic, and more, championing and premiering dozens of brand-new musical works. Most recently, she has acted as curatorial and production assistant for Claire Chase’s Density 2036 project in its tenth year, and co-wrote and premiered work for flute, live electronics, and artificial life simulation at the 2023 TENOR Conference.

In 2022, Jessica received a B.A. with highest honors in mathematics and music from Harvard University, having jointly studied flute performance with Paula Robison at the New England Conservatory. Other mentors and influences include Vijay Iyer, Miguel Zenón, Tod Machover, Brook Ferguson, and many more.

Jessica has been a Wm. S. Haynes Co. International Young Artist since 2016.

(Photo: Daniel Huang)