Cristina Spinei

Cristina Spinei (born February 29, 1984) is a Nashville-based American composer.[1] She is best known for her work with ballet; she has been commissioned by the Nashville ballet,[2] the New York Choreographic Institute,[3] and the Pacific Northwest Ballet.[4]

Biography

Cristina Spinei was born in Connecticut[5] and started playing piano by the age of 9.[6] She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees from the Juilliard School where she studied with Christopher Rouse.[7] She has been called “one of the most talented young composers in America” by Grammy award-winning composer/conductor José Serebrier.[8] Spinei is recipient of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Grant for Composition, the Composer Assistance Award from the American Music Center, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts composition grant, the New York State Council on the Arts composition grant, and the Composition Award from the Arts Recognition and Talent Search.[9]

Spinei's ballets and other compositions have been performed throughout the United States and internationally.[10] She also Performs her own music,[11] most notably with the Nashville Ballet in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

She is co-founder of Blind Ear Music, a New York-based group that combines new music with cutting-edge technology. Blind Ear has been featured at the World Technology Awards and on YouTube's weekly "Spotlight on Music" section. Blind Ear was cited as "the future of music" in an interview for BBC's World Today.[12]

Spinei's first album, Music for Dance (Toccata Classics), made its debut in 2016.[13] The Album was characterized by the critic Dean Frey as having a “strong lyrical streak with an open, folk-like feeling and a dollop of pop.”[14]

Spinei's most recent project is her second full length album, Ex Voto.[15] In February 2020, she performed pieces from the album new music venue National Sawdust in Brooklyn.[16]

In addition to her own records, Spinei's music appears on the debut album of Trio Celeste,[17] as well as on St. Michel Strings’ album Adagio, a record nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.[18]

Recent works

  • Music for Dance (Toccata Classics) (2016)
  • Ex Voto (2020)

References

  1. ^ "Nashville Composer Cristina Spinei's Debut Album Explores the Rhythms of Dance". Nashville Scene. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  2. ^ Morley, Steve (2017-09-08). "Cristina Spinei". The East Nashvillian. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  3. ^ "Listen to Nashville composer Cristina Spinei's 'Spiral,' commissioned by YourClassical". www.yourclassical.org. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  4. ^ "Cristina Spinei, Composer". www.acmusic.org. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  5. ^ Reports, Herald (17 September 2015). "Composer Cristina Spinei talks music, upcoming show at Franklin Theatre". Williamson Herald. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  6. ^ Reports, Herald (17 September 2015). "Composer Cristina Spinei talks music, upcoming show at Franklin Theatre". Williamson Herald. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  7. ^ "StackPath". local.nashvillescene.com. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  8. ^ "TEDxNashvilleWomen features all-female speakers, including two with Williamson ties". Williamson Home Page. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  9. ^ BWW News Desk. "KDNY Presents 'Treading Puddles' World Premieres Series, 12/3 - 12/6". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  10. ^ Hodges, Ben (Benjamin A.) Willis, John (John A.) (2009). Theatre world 2008-2009. Applause Theatre & Cinema. ISBN 978-1-4234-7369-5. OCLC 862139627.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Attitude: Other Voices - TPAC". Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  12. ^ "Cristina Spinei, Composer". www.acmusic.org. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  13. ^ "Nashville Composer Cristina Spinei's Debut Album Explores the Rhythms of Dance". Nashville Scene. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  14. ^ www.amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B01MQ2C1AL. Retrieved 2020-03-13. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ mikewaite22 (2020-02-27). "Listen to Cristina Spinei's 'Ex Voto' ahead of this Saturday's album release show at Brooklyn venue National Sawdust". Retrieved 2020-03-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Cristina Spinei". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  17. ^ "Trio Céleste | Trio Céleste". 11 May 2013. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  18. ^ "Alba ABCD 341 Adagio, NOMINEE of the 14th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards - Alba Records". www.alba.fi. Archived from the original on 2020-02-25. Retrieved 2020-03-13.

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