Role

:

Composer  

Birth

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1970 in Louisville, KY

Period

:

Contemporary

 

Valerie Coleman is a renowned American composer and flutist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on July 3, 1970, in Louisville, Kentucky, Coleman grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother was a pianist, and her father was a jazz saxophonist. Coleman's parents encouraged her to pursue music from a young age, and she began playing the flute at the age of 11. Coleman's talent for music was evident from the start, and she quickly became a skilled flutist. She attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where she studied with renowned flutist Doriot Anthony Dwyer. Coleman went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University and a Master of Music degree from the Mannes College of Music in New York City. As a flutist, Coleman has performed with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Imani Winds, a chamber music ensemble that she co-founded in 1997. The Imani Winds has become one of the most acclaimed chamber music ensembles in the world, known for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. In addition to her work as a flutist, Coleman has also made a name for herself as a composer. Her compositions draw on a wide range of musical influences, including classical, jazz, and world music. Coleman's music is known for its rhythmic complexity, vibrant colors, and emotional depth. One of Coleman's most famous works is "Umoja," a piece for wind quintet that was commissioned by the Imani Winds in 2005. The piece is inspired by the Swahili word for "unity" and incorporates elements of African music, including call-and-response patterns and polyrhythms. "Umoja" has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and has become a staple of the wind quintet repertoire. Another notable work by Coleman is "Red Clay and Mississippi Delta," a piece for flute, clarinet, and piano that was commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in 2012. The piece is inspired by the music of the American South and incorporates elements of blues, gospel, and jazz. "Red Clay and Mississippi Delta" has been praised for its evocative portrayal of the region's musical traditions. Coleman's other compositions include "Tzigane," a piece for flute and piano that draws on the music of the Romani people, and "Portraits of Langston," a song cycle based on the poetry of Langston Hughes. Coleman has also composed music for film and television, including the score for the documentary "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution." In addition to her work as a composer and performer, Coleman is also a dedicated educator. She has taught at numerous institutions, including the Mannes College of Music, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Miami. Coleman is passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians and has worked to promote diversity and inclusion in classical music. Coleman's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2018, she was named a MacArthur Fellow, a prestigious award that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their field. Coleman has also been honored with the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, the Aaron Copland Award, and the ASCAP Foundation's Leonard Bernstein Award.

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