Dawn Avery
Biography
Dawn Avery (b. 1961) is a Native American cellist, composer and music educator.
Of Mohawk descent, Dawn Avery's Indian name is Ieriho:kwats and she wears the turtle clan. Dr. Avery holds a BM from the Manhattan School of Music, an MFA from NYU and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland, with primary research in native classical contemporary composition and the application of Indigenous research techniques.
Avery runs a world music program at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, where she is a full professor. Committed to Indigenous language and cultural preservation as a musician, educator and participant of longhouse ceremonies, Avery leads workshops and produces projects as part of the Native Composer’s Project.
She is a published author of several scholarly articles on indigenous theory and native classical music.
Dr. Avery received the 2011 United States Professor of the Year award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. A Grammy-nominated world music artist, Avery’s recent multi-media projects and recordings include the Global Music Award-winning CD 50 Shades of Red (2014). Her album, Our Fire: Contemporary Native American Songs (2011), won several nominations in the Indian Summer Awards, New Mexico Music Awards, and Native American Music Awards.
Works for Winds
- Secrets Ohsatstenhserón:ní (2023)
References
- College of William & Mary Wind Ensemble concert program, 3 May 2023
- Dawn Avery website Accessed 7 May 2023