(b. Lima, Peru, November 20 1943)
Born in Peru while her pop singer mother was on tour, Meredith Monk grew up in New York and Connecticut. After taking a degree from Sarah Lawrence College she embarked on a career of composition, filmmaking, and directing. In her widely acclaimed music-theater pieces, she explores the possibilities of the human voice, melding ensembles in wordless choruses that evoke almost trance-like effects.
In 1978 she formed the chamber group Meredith Monk and Vocal Ensemble. Her award-winning films include Ellis Island (1981), and in 1991 she unveiled her full-length opera ATLAS.
An Interview with Meredith Monk
A Radio Profile of Meredith Monk
Interviews from the “American Mavericks” series (c) (p) American Mavericks Public Media. Used with permission. All rights reserved.