The Donne BIG LIST 2026
The Donne BIG LIST 2026: How 76 Volunteers from Around the World Changed Music History
This summer, something extraordinary happened.
In June 2026, we put out a call. We needed volunteers — music lovers, students, performers, researchers — to help us build the world’s most comprehensive database of women composers. We got 76 people from around the world who gave their time, their knowledge and their passion to this project.
Today, as we close this chapter of the BIG LIST project, I want to stop and say something clearly: you changed history.
THE NUMBERS
When we started, the Donne BIG LIST had 5,357 verified women composers. As of 28th September 2026, that number stands at 11,140 – and it is still growing.
Together, our volunteers verified 8,972 composer entries. Women whose names were buried in archives, forgotten in footnotes, erased from concert programmes and music history books.
They are there now: Permanent. Visible. Searchable. Forever.
THE COMMUNITY
Our volunteers came from across five continents: music students, professional performers, researchers, academics, professors, teachers, journalists and passionate listeners.
Our Top Contributors – These ten volunteers went above and beyond:
Every Single Volunteer
This project belonged to all of you. Every name below contributed to something that will outlast all of us.
Amélie Mason · Amy Axelson Capeci · Angela Miller-Niles · Anatalia Lugue · Antitsa Undzhiyan · Armaghan Khalesi · Belisa Zoehler Giorgis · Beth Callen · Catherine Hayes · Charlot Webster · Chelsea Davis · Chloé Leruth · Ciara Moloney · Danica Stanojoska · Danielle Ediale · Dr. Namhee Joo · Dr. Sarah Pizzichemi · Ellie Quinn-Walker · Emil Genau · Emma Knights · Eva Margarita García · Evie Brenkley · Fernando Delgado · Florencia Sosa Bentancor · Francisca Vera Torres · Gaia Giulianelli · Georgia Tryfona · Geraldine Baldramina Turres Rodríguez · Gisselle Nabiza Buelvas Rodriguez · Grace Whillis · Hannah Lee Tungate · Hannah Wei · Hazel Travers · Hope Ayers · Irene Ortiz Pimenta · Irene Urgell · Iulia Cusnir · Jacob Wilde · Javiera Sánchez Timmermann · Jelena Wissmann · John Holland · Julia Abdalla · Justyna Zańko · Kaiwen Tang · Kristen Cooke · Lark McIvor · Laura Capote da Conceição Soares · Lucia Brighenti · Lucian Ng · Lucas de Lima Coelho · Lyndsay Gibson · Madita Warter · Mallory Andre · Maria Shaughnessy · Marie E. Krastel · Marlena Broadway · Martina Mayer · Mary Corcoran · Meng Tao · Miranda Ostler · Patricia De Carli · Rebecca Peacock · Rocío Amapola Heinrich Pradenas · Rosie de la Mare · Sam Bourassa · Samantha Armstrong · Samira Maria Holer · Soraya Verjee · Sophie Duvall · Tassia Costa · Tayná Batista Lorenção · Teil Taliesin · Victoria Ramos · Xiaoxuan Gao · Zann Lee
WHAT COMES NEXT
The BIG LIST does not stop here. A dedicated group of volunteers will continue working with us to push towards 18,000 – and beyond. The database is live, growing and open to the world at www.donne-uk.org.
If you are a woman composer and you are not yet on the list — add yourself HERE
JOIN US
Explore the BIG LIST
Know a woman composer who is missing? Add her HERE
And if this project has moved you, please consider supporting the Donne Foundation – our fundraising continues and every donation makes a difference: https://donne-uk.org/donate/
The Donne Foundation is a UK charity advancing gender equity in music. Founded on International Women’s Day 2018 by Gabriella Di Laccio MBE.
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