A composer and artist born and raised in East Tennessee has been named a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Oak Ridge native Ellen Reid earned the Pulitzer for her opera ‘Prism’, which premiered at the Los Angeles Opera’s Off Grand Series back in November.

Since winning the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in music, Reid has posted a statement on her website. It says in part, “I am blown away and incredibly honored. I hope this opera will help shed light on the experience of surviving sexual assault. While I did not plan for the timeliness of the subject matter, I am so grateful that it has resonated with audiences.”

Reid was born in Oak Ridge and graduated from Oak Ridge High School. According to her website, she has also been an artist in residence at the University of Tennessee.

We’re sitting down with the Reid family after this amazing honor. Hear from them starting today at four on WATE.