Although Malina has always actively improvised, she did not begin to approach the art of writing it down until auditioning for the Perpich Center for Arts Education Arts High School. After high school, she continued studying composition at the Eastman School of Music while pursuing a composition and cello performance major. Her teachers included David Liptak, Augusta Read Thomas, and Sydney Hodkinson. During her four years at Eastman, nearly 20 of her pieces were premiered.

Following undergrad work, Malina attended The Juilliard School where she began working and collaborating with dancers and choreographers. She has had pieces premiered at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Juilliard Theater, and MASS MoCA, and composed for Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects, airelise, Doorknob Dance Company, Laura Flowers, and Dodge Dance Company, among others. Malina scored the dance film LineAge, which has played at numerous film festivals around the world, and received multiple premieres by new music choir C4. She has been commissioned to write for In Extensio, Cadillac Moon Ensemble, Janus Trio, Rebecca Danard, and many others. In 2008 she was a Bang on a Can Composition Fellow where she had the opportunity to premiere her own work as well as perform the new works of others. She has curated, produced and performed in four full-length concerts in New York City, promoting live music of her own and others in collaboration with dancers and choreographers.

Commissions: Malina specializes in writing pieces for unique individuals and groups making each performer’s personal strengths, desires and eccentricities an integral part of the piece. She enjoys the collaborative process and depends on the ideas of others to challenge and inspire her.