Emilia Claire Pierce (She/Her) is a Musicology PhD student at the University of California, Davis. She holds a Master of Music in Composition and a Master of Arts in Musicology from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Her research explores the intersections of gender and sexuality in performance, as well as the cultural and social meanings embedded in Italian popular music. Building on both her scholarly and creative practice, Emilia examines how music reflects and shapes discourses of identity, intimacy, and power in contemporary contexts.

Emilia’s commitment to inclusive musical spaces informs her approach as a composer, researcher, and educator. She has presented works that challenge assumptions about musical value and representation, aiming to amplify marginalized voices in both academic and performance settings. Alongside her academic work, she remains active as a composer, drawing on her interdisciplinary perspective to create works that engage audiences critically and emotionally.