Clarice Assad

From Wind Repertory Project
Clarice Assad

Biography

Clarice Assad (b. 9 February 1978, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian-American composer, pianist, vocalist and educator.

Assad holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Roosevelt University in Chicago and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan School of Music.

The Grammy Award–nominated composer, celebrated pianist, inventive vocalist and educator is acclaimed for her evocative colors, rich textures and diverse stylistic range. She endeavors to harness the incredible and intangible power of music to connect people and transform lives through original works, commissions and education programs that give voice to everything from the impact of climate change to issues of social justice, gender equity and the empowerment of young voices. With her talent sought after by artists and organizations worldwide, the polyglot musician continues to attract new audiences both onstage and off.

The prolific composer has more than 70 works to her credit, including numerous commissions for Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Boston Youth Orchestra, to name a few. Her compositions have been recorded by some of the most prominent names in classical music, including percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and oboist Liang Wang. Assad recently wrote the soundtrack to Devoti Tutti, a documentary by Bernadette Wegenstein, and is composing the music for a ballet by award-winning choreographer Shannon Alvis.

Assad also strives to expand the sonic palette of the voice, including immersing audiences in the music as active participants and by electronically altering sounds, “like one of those cooks who can turn any four random foodstuffs into a feast” (Classical Voice North America). She takes the immersive experience outside of the concert hall with the innovative and accessible VOXploration, which she created in 2015. The program offers a creative and fun approach to music education through meaningful, interactive experiences.

As a performer, Assad has shared the stage with Bobby McFerrin, Anat Cohen, Nadia Sirota, Paquito D’Rivera, Tom Harrell, Marilyn Mazur and Mike Marshall, among others.

In the recording arena, Assad has released seven solo albums and has appeared on or has had her works performed on another 34.

Assad has given master classes, residencies and workshops throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, amongst them an Aaron Copland Award and several ASCAP awards in composition.


Works for Winds


Resources