Zwilich studied music at Florida State University and the Juilliard School, earning her doctorate in composition. She played violin with the American Symphony Orchestra (1965-72) before devoting herself to composing full-time. Zwilich has made many recordings and won numerous awards and accolades, including four Grammy nominations, a Guggenheim Fellowship and a spot in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Since 2000 she has been a professor at Florida State University.