Role

:

Conductor

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Maria Guinand is a renowned Venezuelan conductor, choral director, and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 16, 1953, in Caracas, Venezuela, Guinand grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her father, Alberto Grau, was a composer and conductor, and her mother, Eva Grau, was a pianist and music educator. Guinand's parents were also the founders of the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, a renowned choral group in Venezuela. Guinand began her music education at the age of six, studying piano and music theory with her mother. She later studied choral conducting with her father and went on to earn a degree in music education from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She also studied choral conducting with Helmuth Rilling at the International Bachakademie in Stuttgart, Germany. Guinand's career as a conductor and choral director began in the early 1980s when she became the conductor of the Cantoría Alberto Grau, a youth choir founded by her father. Under her leadership, the choir gained international recognition and won numerous awards, including first prize at the International Choral Competition in Arezzo, Italy, in 1987. In 1990, Guinand became the conductor of the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, the choir founded by her parents. She led the choir for over 20 years, during which time it became one of the most respected choral groups in the world. The choir performed at major music festivals and venues around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Berlin Philharmonic, and Carnegie Hall. Guinand's work as a conductor and choral director has also included collaborations with other renowned musicians and ensembles. She has conducted the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Choir, and the Swedish Radio Choir, among others. She has also worked with composers such as John Adams, Osvaldo Golijov, and Arvo Pärt, and has premiered many new works by Latin American composers. In addition to her work as a conductor and choral director, Guinand is also a respected music educator. She has taught choral conducting at the Universidad Central de Venezuela and has led workshops and masterclasses for choral conductors around the world. She has also served as a juror for many international choral competitions. Guinand's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2009, she was awarded the Robert Shaw Conducting Award by the Robert Shaw Institute and the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2011, she received the Helmuth Rilling Award for Choral Excellence from the Oregon Bach Festival. She has also been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Guinand's legacy as a conductor, choral director, and music educator continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world. Her commitment to promoting Latin American music and culture, as well as her dedication to excellence in choral performance, have made her a true icon in the world of classical music.

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