American Mavericks

Meredith Monk

(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.