Abbie Betinis
Encyclopedia
Abbie Betinis is an American composer. A 2009 McKnight Fellow, Betinis' compositions have been performed by The New Amsterdam Singers,Cantus, The Rose Ensemble and many other groups; she has been the recipient of numerous grants, awards and commissions. Since 2006, she has served as Composer In Residence at The Schubert Club in Minneapolis. Her work has been hailed as "inventive [and] richly melodic" by The New York Times. The Boston Globe called a recent (June 2011) world premiere "the highlight" of the concert. Primarily a choral composer, Betinis is known for her use of unconventional vocal techniques such as yodeling, crying, spitting, whistling, glottal grunting, bird-calling and keening.
Originally from Stevens Point, Wisconsin
, Betinis earned a B.A. in music with a linguistics concentration from St. Olaf College, and M.A. in music composition from the University of Minnesota she studied with Judith Lang Zaimont
. She has also studied harmony and counterpoint in the tradition of Nadia Boulanger
with faculty from The Juilliard School
and the Paris Conservatory. Betinis is a three-time cancer survivor, an experience she cites as an important influence in her work.
The great-niece of Alfred Burt
, who composed well-known Christmas carols such as "Caroling, Caroling," Betinis has partnered with Minnesota Public Radio to continue the family tradition since 2001, penning a new work each holiday season and premiering each one on the MPR Holiday Special, to an estimated listening audience of more than 800,000.
Originally from Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point is the county seat of Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. Located in the central part of the state, it is the largest city in the county, with a population of 24,551 at the 2000 census...
, Betinis earned a B.A. in music with a linguistics concentration from St. Olaf College, and M.A. in music composition from the University of Minnesota she studied with Judith Lang Zaimont
Judith Lang Zaimont
Judith Lang Zaimont is an American music educator, music writer and composer.-Life:Judith Ann Lang was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Bellerose, Queens, New York. She began studying piano at age five, and performed on The Lawrence Welk Show at age eleven...
. She has also studied harmony and counterpoint in the tradition of Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor and teacher who taught many composers and performers of the 20th century.From a musical family, she achieved early honours as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, but believing that her talent as a composer was inferior to that of her younger...
with faculty from The Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
and the Paris Conservatory. Betinis is a three-time cancer survivor, an experience she cites as an important influence in her work.
The great-niece of Alfred Burt
Alfred Burt
Alfred Shaddick Burt was an American jazz musician who is best known for composing the music for fifteen Christmas carols between 1942 and 1954. Only one of the carols was performed in public outside his immediate family circle during his lifetime.-Early life:Burt was born in Marquette, Michigan...
, who composed well-known Christmas carols such as "Caroling, Caroling," Betinis has partnered with Minnesota Public Radio to continue the family tradition since 2001, penning a new work each holiday season and premiering each one on the MPR Holiday Special, to an estimated listening audience of more than 800,000.