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Jennifer Castellano is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in New York City in 1985. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a guitarist. From a young age, Castellano showed a natural talent for music and began taking piano lessons at the age of five. Castellano's musical education continued throughout her childhood and teenage years. She attended the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, where she studied piano and composition. She also studied at the Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program and the Interlochen Arts Academy. After completing her high school education, Castellano attended the Eastman School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the Yale School of Music. Throughout her education, Castellano was recognized for her talent and received numerous awards and honors. She was a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the BMI Student Composer Award, and the Yale School of Music's Woods Chandler Memorial Prize. Castellano's compositions are characterized by their emotional depth and expressive melodies. She draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including literature, nature, and personal experiences. Her works often explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition. One of Castellano's most notable works is her piano concerto, "The Memory Keeper." The piece was commissioned by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2016. It features a solo piano part that is both virtuosic and lyrical, and the orchestration is rich and colorful. The concerto has been praised for its emotional impact and its ability to connect with audiences. Another notable work by Castellano is her song cycle, "Letters from Home." The cycle sets letters written by soldiers during World War II to music. The piece was commissioned by the New York Festival of Song and premiered in 2018. It has been praised for its sensitivity and its ability to capture the emotions of the soldiers and their loved ones. Castellano's music has been performed by a wide range of ensembles and musicians, including the New York Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Cassatt String Quartet. Her works have been featured at festivals and venues throughout the United States and Europe, including the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and Carnegie Hall. In addition to her work as a composer, Castellano is also an active educator. She has taught composition and music theory at the Yale School of Music and the University of Hartford's Hartt School. She has also served as a mentor for young composers through programs such as the New York Philharmonic's Very Young Composers program. Castellano's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and her works continue to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences alike. Her ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level and her dedication to the craft of composition make her a valuable voice in contemporary classical music.

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