composer
Frédéric Chopin
Quick Facts One of the greatest composers of the Romantic Period Born in Poland Studied piano as a child and gave his first public performance at the age of 8 Wrote his first composition at the age of 6 Most …
Antonio Vivaldi
Quick Facts Born in Venice (Italy) Composed music in the Baroque style Played the violin Was ordained as a priest, but devoted his life to music instead Wrote lots of music, including 46 operas and 500 concertos His music influenced …
Claude Debussy
Quick Facts One of the most influential French composers Sometimes called the first Impressionist composer (though Debussy did not like that description) His music pushed the boundaries of melody and harmony. He wrote instrument parts (in the orchestra) that had …
Margaret Bonds
Quick Facts Born in Chicago, Illinois (U.S.) Her mom taught her to play the piano. She wrote her first piece of music at the age of 5. She studied piano and composition at Northwestern University in Illinois. She was one …
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Quick Facts Born in New York, New York Puerto-Rican descent Learned to play the piano as a child Listened to salsa, show tunes, R & B, and hip-hop Participated in his high school’s theater program In high school, he met …
Heitor Villa-Lobos
Quick Facts Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Played cello and classical guitar Best-known South American composer of all time Combined Brazilian folk music with classical music At the age of 18, he traveled around Brazil, becoming well-acquainted with Afro-Brazilian …
Amy Beach
Quick Facts Child prodigy: taught herself to read at age 3 composed her first piece at age 4 played with the Boston Symphony at the age of 18 During her marriage, she focused on composing. After her husband’s death in …
Thelonious Monk
Quick Facts American composer and jazz (bebop) pianist Started playing piano at the age of 6 His first job was playing church organ for a traveling evangelist. Monk’s piano playing was unique: forceful with lots of dissonance and unusual rhythms …
William Grant Still
Quick Facts Known as “Dean of Afro-American Composers” Was a part of the Harlem Renaissance First African American to: conduct an American symphony orchestra have a symphony performed by an orchestra (“Afro-American Symphony”) have an opera performed by the New …
Aaron Copland
Quick Facts Born in Brooklyn, New York (U.S.) His older sister taught him to play the piano. Most of his musical exposure was at Jewish weddings and other ceremonies. Began writing songs at the age of eight. Studied music in …
