Local Classical Featured Artist – 09/26/22 – 10/16/22
This month we feature music conducted by the late Venezuelan-American artist Carmen-Helena Téllez in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Known as a conductor, composer, producer, scholar and interdisciplinary artist, her contributions and advocacy for new classical music were unmatched. She passed away in late December 2021 after a battle with cancer. She was 66. Born in Caracas, where she completed conservatory studies in piano and composition, Carmen-Helena Téllez obtained a Doctor of Music degree with a Letter of Highest Distinction at Indiana University in 1989. In the Fall of 2012, she joined the University of Notre Dame as a Professor of Conducting, where she was the Professor of the Graduate Conducting Studio in the Sacred Music Program, and Artistic Director of Notre Dame Vocale, a research project for new sacred music and sacred music drama.
She came to Notre Dame after 20 years as a Professor of Choral Conducting and Director of the Latin American Music Center at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University where she also directed their Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (1992-2012). She was also a Resident Conductor of the Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players (Contempo), Music Director of the National Chorus of Spain, and Visiting Professor at Dartmouth College. Carmen-Helena Téllez was responsible for the commission and world premiere of many works that have garnered the highest critical praise. Indiana lost a true advocate for the arts and new classical music.
Connect with Classical Music Indy Streaming’s Local Classical channel to hear works conducted by Carmen-Helena Téllez as well as works celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Portions of this Playlist will be in Spanish.
Image credit: Gonzalo Guaña
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