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Composer

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Chamber

 

 

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Stephen Dankner is a renowned American composer of classical music. He was born in New York City in 1944 and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, so music was always a part of his life. Dankner began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and viola. Dankner attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and Roger Sessions. He also studied conducting with Jean Morel and Leonard Bernstein. After graduating from Juilliard, Dankner went on to earn a doctorate in composition from the University of Michigan. Dankner's music is known for its lyricism, emotional depth, and technical virtuosity. He has composed works in a variety of genres, including orchestral music, chamber music, choral music, and opera. Some of his most notable works include his Symphony No. 3, which was commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 1992, and his opera The Memory Keeper, which premiered at the Lake George Opera Festival in 2001. In addition to his work as a composer, Dankner has also been a dedicated teacher and mentor to young musicians. He has taught at a number of institutions, including Skidmore College, Williams College, and the University of Michigan. He has also served as a guest conductor for a variety of orchestras, including the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career, Dankner has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1995, he was awarded the Aaron Copland Award for his contributions to American music. He has also been a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation's Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the National Endowment for the Arts Composer Fellowship. Despite his many accomplishments, Dankner remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to compose new works and inspire young musicians to pursue their own passions in music. His legacy as a composer and teacher will undoubtedly continue to influence the world of classical music for generations to come.

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