Role

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Conductor

 

Kevin Stalheim is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music through his exceptional skills as a conductor, composer, and violinist. He was born in 1955 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a painter, which helped to foster his love for music and the arts from a young age. Stalheim began his musical journey by learning to play the violin at the age of six. He showed great promise and was soon performing in local concerts and competitions. He continued to hone his skills and eventually went on to study music at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, Stalheim went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in violin performance at the University of Michigan. During his time at Michigan, he also studied conducting with Gustav Meier, a renowned conductor and teacher. This experience sparked Stalheim's interest in conducting, and he began to focus more on this aspect of his musical career. Stalheim's career as a conductor began to take off in the 1980s when he founded the Present Music Ensemble in Milwaukee. This ensemble was dedicated to performing contemporary classical music and quickly gained a reputation for its innovative programming and high-quality performances. Stalheim served as the artistic director and conductor of the ensemble for over 30 years, during which time he led the group in numerous performances and recordings. In addition to his work with the Present Music Ensemble, Stalheim has also conducted many other orchestras and ensembles throughout the United States and Europe. He has worked with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has also conducted at many prestigious music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Stalheim's work as a composer has also been highly acclaimed. He has written numerous pieces for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, many of which have been performed by the Present Music Ensemble and other groups. His compositions are known for their innovative use of harmony and rhythm, as well as their incorporation of elements from a wide range of musical styles and traditions. Throughout his career, Stalheim has received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of music. In 1995, he was awarded the Wisconsin Arts Board's Composer of the Year award, and in 2005, he received the Milwaukee Arts Board's Artist of the Year award. He has also been recognized for his work as a conductor, receiving the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in 2001 and the American Symphony Orchestra League's John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music in 2003. Stalheim's performances and recordings have also received critical acclaim. His recordings with the Present Music Ensemble have been praised for their innovative programming and high-quality performances, and his compositions have been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. He has also been featured in many publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Chicago Tribune.

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