Squonk Opera

Squonk Opera is a group of interdisciplinary performing artists from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, formed by the composer Jackie Dempsey and artist Steve O'Hearn, in 1992. Current band members are Jackie Dempsey (pianist, accordionist), Steve O'Hearn (wind player), David Wallace (guitar), Kevin Kornicki (percussionist), and Autumn Ayers (vocals). Over the group's career, it has released six albums, (one through Capitol/ Angel,) with a seventh, "Mayhem and Majesty" scheduled for release in July 2010.

The group "like to think of ourselves as a wacky, provincial opera company," says Dempsey, who named the group "Squonk" after a description of their playing as a "squonk-fest".

Dempsey's music explores and blends several genres including electro-acoustic, jazz, new classical, progressive rock and soundscape. Squonk has received many awards and grants in recognition of her contribution to new music theatre including from the Rockefeller MAP Fund, American Theatre Wing and five grants from the N.E.A.

Squonk Opera continues to regularly tour the USA, from Broadway to Bumbershoot, and has also performed in Europe and Asia, from Belgium to Busan, Korea.