Lee Hyla was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and grew up in Greencastle, Indiana. He has written for numerous performers including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Kronos Quartet (with Allen Ginsberg), The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Speculum Musicae, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, the Lydian String Quartet, Triple Helix, Tim Smith, Tim Berne, Laura Frautschi, Rhonda Rider, Stephen Drury, Mia Chung, Judith Gordon, Mary Nessinger, Boston Musica Viva, and House Blend, the resident ensemble at the Kitchen.