Nneka Cummins

Nneka is one of eight composers selected for a place on the 2026 RPS Composers programme. This will culminate in them writing a new piece, commissioned by the RPS, for Manchester Camerata.

On this page, Nneka introduces themselves in their own words, and shares links to their music, their website, and their social media platforms. We warmly invite programmers and commissioners to take a closer look at Nneka's work, and please be in touch with us if you would like to connect with them.

About Nneka

'Hey, I’m Nneka Cummins, a composer and producer born in Liverpool, based in London. I was self-taught in composition until I studied at Master's level at Trinity Laban, graduating in 2022.  

The Afrofuturist aesthetic and West African-rooted art is particularly nourishing for me, but I am influenced by a range of music and art. I enjoy building vibrant sonic worlds: melody is important to me and groove-driven rhythm is often central to what I write. I have also been building electro-acoustic works that utilise sampling techniques which has been lots of fun. I like to think expansively about what contemporary classical music can be.

In my work, I keep coming back to similar themes such as deconstruction/fragmentation, re-imagining/re-building – I think it’s because I know that there is so much change needed in so many ways. It feels important to me to spend a significant amount of time sitting with these concepts and asking audiences to join me. I hope it is a small way to help plant the seeds of something greater.'

Highlights

  • Nneka was nonclassical’s Artist in Residence 2023-25. During this time, they composed Finding Gills[when they try to drown you] for orchestra and electronics, which was performed by Southbank Sinfonia in March 2025, and nominated for Best Large Ensemble Composition at The Ivors Classical Awards 2025.
  • In 2023 Nneka’s piece 3 Planets for small chamber orchestra, written for the Philharmonia Orchestra, was performed at the Royal Festival Hall and released by NMC Recordings. The first movement was subsequently included in the NMC at 35 compilation album.
  • Nneka was a Sound and Music New Voices Composer 2022 and developed electro-acoustic works which they presented in the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room in nonclassical’s Outside the Lines concert. [Track 1] was aired on BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show in August 2025.
  • Nneka was awarded the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Rushworth Composition Prize in 2021 and their work, Metal Tapestry was performed by Ensemble 10:10 in October 2022.

Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more about Nneka, hearing and and keeping up to date with their work, take a look at their website and social media below:

The RPS Composers programme could not happen without the support of RPS Members, PRS Foundation Talent Development Network supported by PPL, Delius Trust, Fidelio Charitable Trust, Garrick Charitable Trust, Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, Idlewild Trust, John Ellerman Foundation, Marchus Trust, Presteigne Festival, Radcliffe Trust, RPS Susan Bradshaw Composers' Fund, RPS Thea Musgrave Fund, Vaughan Williams Foundation, and several anonymous donors.