Yaz Lancaster is an experimental artist whose practice is grounded in queer, DIY, and liberatory frameworks. Their work utilizes improvisatory forms, electroacoustic composition, sampling/collage, and relational aesthetics. Cultivation of care & intimacy, Marxist praxis, and accessibility are priorities of their artistic ethos.

Yaz performs as violinist, vocalist, electronic musician & steel pannist in a variety of genres and settings. They’ve had the opportunity to perform at Lincoln Center, The Shed, MoMA, National Sawdust, Public Records, Roulette Intermedium, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, MASS MoCA and The Poetry Project – as well as iconic DIY spaces like Trans Pecos & Nublu. Their debut album AmethYst released in April 2023 on people | places | records (PPR). Currently, Yaz performs solo sets with violin/voice + extended techniques & electronics that comprise improvisations, songs, and composed music; and with their ambient/noise duo project medium. with gg200bpm (aka gg). 

They’ve worked with artists including Andrew Noseworthy, Andy Akiho, BAKUDI SCREAM, claire rousay, Dorothy Carlos, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Lisel/Eliza Bagg, JACK Quartet, Jacolby Satterwhite, Massa Nera, Miss Grit, Nyokabi Kariuki, and Wadada Leo Smith. Yaz has been commissioned by A Far Cry, Beth Morrison Projects, Black Mountain College Museum & Art Center (with Hub New Music), Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Castle of our Skins, the Minnesota Philharmonic; and Opera Philadelphia – for which they created PAPER TIGER (2023) with filmmaker Sean Pecknold. Recent projects include scoring + music directing Asia Stewart’s evening-length Fabric Softener at The Shed, a large chamber work for International Contemporary Ensemble (2025), and collaboration(s) + offerings with PTP Vision collective. Yaz was nominated for a 2025 Gaudeamus Award.

Yaz is currently a label manager of PPR & a freelance music/arts writer. They hold degrees in violin & poetry from NYU. They enjoy powerlifting, poetics of horror, digital (sub)cultures, QTPOC-led raves, and being an Aquarius stellium. Yaz lives in Lenapehoking (Harlem, NYC) with their little dog Nori.

*Notes for presenters:
- Yaz identifies as transgender & non-binary only. Do not include them in archives/programming detailing “women” or “females.” 
- Their birth year can be listed as (199x).