Marella Martin Koch is a librettist noted for her ability to “sketch complete characters in swift, sure lines” (Anne Midgette, The Washington Post). Pepito (music by Nicolas Lell Benavides) was commissioned by Washington National Opera's American Opera Initiative. Since its Kennedy Center premiere, Pepito has been performed across the country, recorded as a cast album “full of nuance and emotional pull” (Chris Ruel, Operawire), and released by New Opera West as an “entrancing” animated short film (Claudia Kawczynska, The Bark). Ten Minutes in the Life or Death of... (music by Tyler J. Rubin) was lauded as “quizzical and wonderstruck” (Steven Winn, San Francisco Classical Review) at West Edge Opera’s Snapshot 2021. Recent: Elinor & Marianne (music by Aferdian) for The Rally Cat; For Mom (music by Michael Lanci) for Parea Series. Upcoming: Dolores (music by Benavides), winner of the inaugural West Edge Opera Aperture commission. MFA, NYU/Tisch. BA, UC Berkeley. www.marellamartinkoch.com