Tania Leon
Dist Professor
Music, Conservatory of
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Tania León, born in Cuba and a vital personality on today's music scene, is highly regarded as a composer and conductor recognized for her accomplishments as an educator and advisor to arts organizations. León has appeared as guest conductor throughout the United States and Europe. She has received awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America, ASCAP, NYSCA, Guggenheim, Froom and Koussevitzky Foundations. A founding member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, she co-founded the ACO's Sonidos de las Americas Festivals, was new music adviser to Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic, and is the artistic director of Composers Now Festival. In 2000 León was named the Claire and Leonard Tow Professor at Brooklyn College, where she has taught since 1985. In 2006 she was named Distinguished Professor of the City University of New York. In 2010 she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. More at: www.tanialeon.com.
Education:
Honorary Doctorate, Purchase College - 2007 (Music)
Honorary Doctorate, Oberlin College - 2002 (Music)
Honorary Doctorate, Colgate University - 1999 (Music)
M.A., New York University - 1975 (Composition)
B.S., New York University - 1973 (Music Education)
M.A., Carlos Alfredo Peyrellade Conservatory (Havana) - 1965 (Piano and Music Theory)
Areas of Expertise:
Music composition, conducting, music education, lecturer, Contemporary Music and Latin American music specialist.
Books and Publications
"Tumbao," Savagery & Sophistication CD, by Oni Buchanan. (Books and Publications: Book) 2014
going...gone, for Anthony de Mare, part of LIAISONS: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano. (Books and Publications: Book) 2014
Danzón: Circum-Caribbean Dialogues in Music and Dance (Currents in Latin American and Iberian Music), by Alejandro L. Madrid and Robin D. Moore. Oxford University Press. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2013
In Her Own Words: Conversations with Composers in the United States, by Jennifer Kelly. University of Illinois Press. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2013
The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength, and Success, by Sylvia Mendoza. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2013
Á Tres Voces (For Three Voices), for string trio. Oct. 27 premier. (Books and Publications: Book) 2012
In Motion (Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, Son Sonora Ensemble and Voices, and DanceBrazil Percussion). Features Tania León's compositions for dance, Haiku (for narrator and mixed ensemble) and Inura (for voices, strings and percussion). Albany Records TROY 1284. (Books and Publications: Book) 2012
Chapter dedicated to the music of Tania Leon. Musics of Latin America. Eds. Robin Moore and Walter Aaron Clark. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. (Books and Publications: Book) 2012
Homentage for Piqno, commissioned by the Foundation for Iberian Music in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Xavier Montsalvatge. (Books and Publications: Book) 2011
Stolen Gold, Airi Yoshioka. Features "Abanico" (for violin and interactive computer). Albany Records TROY 1305. (Books and Publications: Book) 2011
Chapter in Women of Influence in Contemporary Music. Ed. Michael K. Slayton. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. (Books and Publications: Book) 2011
"Alma for Flute and Piano." Eight Visions: A New Anthology for Flute and Piano. Theodore Presser Company. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2010
Article in Latin American Music Review 31.1, Spring/Summer 2010. University of Texas Press. (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2010
Recent recordings: Singin' Sepia (Six Compositions, 1992-2002). Bridge 9231. Books: Cuba: Idea of a Nation Displaced. Ed. Andrea O'Reilly Herrera. State University of New York Press. Includes "In Search of the Palm Tree: An Afternoon with Tania León" interview by Iraida Iturralde (Books and Publications: Book) 2008
Creative Work
"Pinceladas" for bassoon and piano. To be premiered at Cuban Social, April 18, 2016
"En el sendero ancho' for acapella chorus. Premiered by The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus at the St Louis Station Hotel's Regency Ballroom. 2015
"Mi Amor Es a work for baritone and piano. Premiered by Robert Osborne, baritone and Todd Crow, piano at The Century Association, New York. 2015
"del Caribe, soy!" for flute and piano world premiere, Caribbean Celebration!, presented by the Church of Saint Martha and Yamaha. 2014
"Ethos" a piano quintet premiered by Pianist Ursula Oppens and the Cassatt String Quartet at Symphony Space. 2014
"Inura" for voices, strings and piano broadcast on more than 250 radio stations on the WFMT Radio Network. 2013
""Going...Gone", a work for solo piano. Liasons, re-imagining Sondheim from the piano A project of works. Anthony De-Mare, pianist. premiered at Sympony Space. "Homenatge". a work for solo piano premiered by Adam Kent. Premiered at Weill Recital Hal, Carnegie Hall. "Origenes" a work for Brass Band 2012
...Eco de Violin, Sorgi and Pak. Features "Abanico." Colin Sorgi (violin) and Jooeun Pak (piano) present A Collection of New Latin American Music for Violin and Piano with Electronics, released by The Latin American Music Center at Indiana University. IUMusic 786031110023. 2012
Rimas Tropicales, Premiered by the San Francisco Girls Chorus, San Francisco, CA. Rimas Tropicales, Premiered by the San Francisco Girls Chorus, La Habana, Cuba. "A tres Voces", String Trio (violin, viola and cello.. Clarion Concerts. Cuarteto No. 2. Commissioned by Sphinx Organization, premiered by the Harlem Quartet at Symphony Space, New York. 2011
Cumba Cumakin, commissioned by Harvard Wind Ensemble, premiered at Harvard University, Boston. 2010
Esencia para cuarteto de cuerdas. Commissioned by Fromm Foundation and premiered by the Del Sol Quartet, San Francisco.
Inura. Original score for ballet. Choreography by Carlos dos Santos. Commissioned for Dance Brazil Company and premiered by Dance Brazil and Son Sonora Ensemble, Tania León, conductor. Skirball Theatre. New York. 2009
"Tiempo en Clave" for violin and percussion. Commissioned by Ana Milosavljevic; "Ancients for 2 Sop.," fl, cl, perc, va, vc. Commissioned by Carolina Performing Arts for Terry Rhodes; "Estampas" for vocal ensemble." Commissioned by the Chicago a cappella; and "Ácana" for orchestra. Commissioned by Purchase College and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with support from the New York State Music Fund. Premiered by Purchase College Orchestra, Purchase College and Orpheus Orchestra. Carnegie Hall. New York. 2008
World premiere of "Alma" for flute and piano. Premiered by Marya Martin. Weill Recital Hall. New York, March 29. 2007
World premiere of "Atwood Songs." Text by Margaret Atwood. Eileen Strempel, sop., and Sylvie Beaudette, pno. Presented by the Society for New Music. Setnor Auditorium, Syracuse University. Ithaca, N.Y., March 25. 2007
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
The National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and the Fred Darragh Foundation have awarded a grant to the University of Central Arkansas's College of Fine Arts and Communication in support of the commission, development and premiere of "Little Rock Nine" by composer Tania León and librettist Henry Louis Gates. (Grants and Fellowships) 2014
The New York State Council on the Arts Commission, for a quintet for piano and string quartet. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
Victor Herbert Award, from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). (Awards and Honors) 2013
Grammy Award nominee, Best Contemporary Classical Composition, 55th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony.
Inura for voices, strings and percussion. (Awards and Honors) 2012
Honored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the Sphinx Organization, U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C. (Awards and Honors) 2012
Access to the Arts Award. Symphony Space. New York.. Award for Exceptional Lifelong services in the United States/Internationally". Nation to Nation Networking Organization. (Awards and Honors) 2011
Latin Grammy Award nomination, for Best Classical Contemporary Composition, for "To and Fro." (Awards and Honors) 2011
Induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. (Awards and Honors) 2010
Meet the Composer/MetLife Creative Connections Award; ASCAP Standard Award; UCross Foundation Composer Residency. Wyoming. (Awards and Honors) 2009
Pulitzer Prize Nomination, for "Acana" for orchestra. (Awards and Honors) 2008
Guggenheim Fellowship Award in Music Composition. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007
Guggenheim Fellowship Award in Music Composition; Honorary doctorate in music, SUNY Purchase. (Awards and Honors) 2007
Honorary doctorate, SUNY Purchase, May 18. (Awards and Honors) 2007
Distinguished professor, City University of New York. (Awards and Honors) 2006
Tania León: A Celebration and a Tribute - 2006 Ignacio Cervantes Lifetime Achievement Medal, presented by the Cuban Cultural Center. Weill Recital Hall. December. (Awards and Honors) 2006
Commission from the Fromm Music Foundation, Harvard University. (Grants and Fellowships) 2005
New York Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award. (Awards and Honors) 1998
Research Activities
Fromm Residency, American Academy in Rome. 1998
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
Honors College at Rutgers University Guest Speaker, Lecture: Crossing Borders (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
NYU Colloquium. Speaker, Lecture: Crossing Borders (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
University of Missouri - Kansas City. Visiting Composer, Lectures, Workshop, Concerts of Leon's music. Performances of Indigena for chamber ensemble, Tumbao for piano (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
Featured composer at The 11th Thailand International Composition Festival. Lecture. The Music of Tania Leon. Performances of Entre Nos for wind quintet and Alma for flute and piano (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
"Crossing Borders" Lecture. Harvard University. Toque and Indigena, performed by the International
Contemporary Ensemble as part of the Fromm Foundation Players Concert Series. Harvard University (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
Keynote speaker, Berklee's State of Jazz Composition Symposium. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
"Polyrhythmia in the Music of Cuba." Visiting Committee Colloquium Series. University of Chicago. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012
La experiencia intelectual de las Mujeres en el siglo XX!. Conference. Presentation and discussion of my creative work. DF, MExicao City, Mexico. Tania Leon's Video. Discussions of my creative procees and professional journey. From La Habana, Cuba to prestigious internatilnal stages. Career Girl Production. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2012
Interviewed by Philip Glass; open discussion of creative process and works. 651 Arts, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Lecturer, Mosse Lectures Series, University of Humboldt, Berlin, (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Master composer, Jazz Institute, Columbia University/American Composers Orchestra. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Presentation, Cultural Counterpoints Conference, Indiana University. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011
"de color" for violin and marimba. New Music Miami Festival. Florida International University. Miami, April 13. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007
Professional Leadership
Guest Conductor, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. Horizons by Tania Leon (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2015
Composers Now Festival opens Feb. 1 with more than 100 performances scheduled throughout New York's five boroughs. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2014
Guest conductor, Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2014
Composers Now, under the artistic direction of founder Tania León, has become a project partner of the Fund for the City of New York for the citywide, multi-institution and monthlong Composers Now Festival. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2013
Artistic director, Composers Now Festival, a city-wide festival of living composers and their works, New York. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2012
Board member, Cintas Foundation. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2012
Board member, Symphony Space. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2012
Juror, the Alpert Award, CAL ARTS. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2012
Music juror, Charles Ives Award, the American Academy of Arts and Letters. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2012
Board member, Chamber Music America. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011
Board member, Froom Foundation. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011
Board member, The MacDowell Colony. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011
Co-founder, Composers Now Festival, a city-wide festival featuring living composers and their compositions, New York. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011
Board member, Chamber Music America. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2009
President, Jury, Concorso Internazionale di Composizione "2 Agosto." Bologna, Italy. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2008
Other Professional Activities
Tania Leon, piano, and Samuel Torres, percussion. Philip Glass' Tune-In Festival at the Armony. New York. 2012
"Abanico" for violin and interactive computer. Colin Sorgi (violin). Eco de Violin. IUMusic 786031110023. 2011
(In) Habitation - Musical Settings of Margaret Atwood Poetry by American Women Composers. Musical Settings of Margaret Atwood Poetry by American Women Composers. Includes Tania Leon's Atwood Songs; Eileen Strempel, soprano; Sylvie Beaudette, piano. Centaur 3002. 2011
Composer, "Abanico." Stolen Gold. Albany Records: B005WOAA18. 2011
Composer-conductor, "In Motion." Original Scores for Ballet: Haiku, Inura." Albany Records: B005M221IK. 2011
Nodus Ensemble. "Sonidos Cubanos." Includes Tania León's To and Fro* for soprano and piano. Innova 322. 2011
Guest conductor, Orquesta Sinfonica de Bogota, Colombia. Featured Composer at the Leo Brouwer Festival of Chamber Contemporary Music, La Habana, Cuba. (First performances of my works in Cuba since my departure in 1967) 2010
Guest conductor, L'Orchestre de Chambre de Geneve, Switzerland. Music director, Conductor Son Sonora Ensemble, Dance Brazil season. Skirball, N.Y. 2009
Guest conductor, Chicago Sinfonietta. Purchase Symphony Orchestra. 2008
"Love After Love" for soprano and marimba, with poetry by Derek Walcott. New York Festival of Song. Weill Recital Hall. New York, April 11-12. 2007
Eileen Strempel and Sylvie Beaudette perform "Atwood Songs," music by Tania León with poetry by Margaret Atwood. St. Bartholomew's Church. New York, May 17. 2007
Orchestra Underground: Composers OutFront! American Composers Orchestra Performs Tania Leon's "Indigena." Zankel Hall (Carnegie Hall). New York. 2007
St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble performs "Singin' Sepia." Notable Women Festival: A Celebration of Women Composers. June 16-17. 2007
Tania León Retrospective Concert. Americas Society, New York, May 9. Award-winning Continuum will offer a portrait of León. Continuum, directed by Cheryl Seltzer and Joel Sachs, is one of New York City's leading New Music ensembles. Over its 40-year trajectory, the ensemble has embraced the entire range of music from 20th-century classics to today's composers from all over the world. 2007
Guest conductor, Orquesta Sinfonica de Asturias, Spain. 2006
