(Linda Lotz), American composer and outstanding experimental vocalist; b. Philadelphia, June 8, 1947. La Barbara learned piano from her grandfather, later singing in church, school choirs, and a folk music group. She studied voice with Helen Boatwright at the Syracuse University School of Music between 1965 and 1968, and music education at N.Y. University, earning her B.A. degree in 1970. She also studied voice with Phyllis Curtin at the Berkshire Music Center atTanglewood in 1967—68.

In 1971 La Barbara made her debut as a vocalist at N.Y.'s Town Hall with STEVE REICH and Musicians, with whom she continued to perform until 1974. She also worked with PHILIP GLASS between 1973 and 1976. She toured in the U.S. and Europe, and in 1979 was composer-in-residence in West Berlin. Beginning in 1981, she taught voice and composition for five years at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia. In 1979 she married the American composer MORTON SUBOTNICK.

A champion of contemporary music, La Barbara developed her performing talents to a high degree. Her vocal techniques include MULTIPHONICS (producing more than one tone at once) and CIRCULAR BREATHING, with unique throat clicks and a high flutter to match. Many contemporary composers have written works for her to perform; in fact, it is hard to imagine anyone else being capable of performing these very demanding works.

La Barbara has won numerous awards and fellowships, including six NEA grants, and grants from ASCAP and the ISCM. In 1993 she appeared in the N.Y. premiere of Subotnick's opera, Jacob's Room, and in 1994 in the premiere of Robert Ashley's quartet of operas Now Eleanor's Idea. Her own compositions, many involving electronics, effectively exploit her vocal abilities.