Pianist
BIOGRAPHY
Claudette Munné has been described as “a pianist with the personality and the facility to interpret a diversity of styles, which proves intelligence and excellence in her musical training” (Listin Diario, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). Born in Santo Domingo, Claudette Munné began piano studies at the age of four at the “Academia Dominicana De Música”. During her studies in the Dominican Republic, Ms. Munné received several awards and recognition from National competitions for her strong artistic presence and extraordinary ability and talent as a pianist. Ms. Munné has been heard in recitals and with orchestras in the United States, Europe, Caribbean and South America. In November 2005, Claudette Munné, along with her husband, Italian pianist Massimiliano Facchini, made an artistic contribution of major significance to the world's artistic legacy. This concert duo “made history premiering Merengues with two pianos at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall” (Jack Rico, Univision). The sold out concert was so special that NBC also interviewed the artists to remark that Merengues were performed with two pianos for the first time in the world. In 2006, following the great response they received in the United States of America, the two artists brought their new music discovery to Europe performing for an audience of 1200 people at the prestigious “Sala Sinopoli” at Parco della Musica in Rome, Italy. In February 2004, Ms. Munné made her debut in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall brilliantly performing to a sold out house. Ms. Munné also had the great privilege to be coached by Alicia de Larrocha in occasion of her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at the “Teatro Nacional” in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she performed under the baton of José Antonio Molina. Her impeccable and magic performance of “Nights in the Garden of Spain” by Manuel De Falla was broadcast and featured many times on national television. People of the Dominican Republic classical music society still remember Ms. Munné’s brilliant and breathtaking interpretation of the De Falla masterpiece.
Claudette Munné has a wide experience teaching students of different ages, talents and backgrounds. Her specialty is also teaching piano to autistic children. “It is amazing to see how music helps their muscular and verbal coordination,” notes Ms. Munné. In addition, she designed a music program for children between the ages of two to five. This specific and unique program is designed to teach them the fundamentals of music and to awaken their full creativity and intellectual potential. Claudette Munné is currently Artistic Director and faculty member at “Belle Arti” Center for the Arts, the first and only music school of European heritage in Forest Hills, New York.
Claudette Munné has been serving as a Board member of the Queens Symphony Orchestra since 2007.
PERFORMANCES
Claudette Munné's performances include:
- Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York)
- Sala Sinopoli at Parco della Musica (Rome, Italy)
- Teatro Nacional in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
- Gran Teatro del Cibao in Santiago (Dominican Republic)
- The Mellow Theater in Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium at the United Nations (New York)
- Federal Hall National Memorial (New York)
- Queens Town Hall
- The Spanish Institute (New York)
- Christ and St. Stephen’s Church (New York)
- The Bronx Museum of the Arts
- Bronx House Music Auditorium
- Brooklyn Music School (New York)
- Hubbard Recital Hall at Manhattan School of Music
- Auditorio del Palacio de Borgiela in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
- Auditorio Dominico Americano in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
- Auditorio Juan Francisco García at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música de Santo Domingo, (Dominican Republic)
- Ibla Grand Prize in Ragusa (Italy)
- Concerti del Tempietto Music Festival in Rome (Italy)
- Estati Musicali al Castello di Presule in Bolzano (Italy)
- Concerti al Cocumella Music Festival in Sorrento (Italy)
Claudette Munné released a compact disc: “Claudette Marie Munné plays Bach, Clementi, Albéniz and others.” She has also performed with the noted Chilean soprano Verónica Villarroel in Santiago, Chile. Ms. Munné appeared with many orchestras under the baton of such conductors as José Antonio Molina, José Contreras, Francois Bahuaud, Caonex Peguero and Amaury Sanchez. Claudette Munné also concertizes with her husband, the Italian pianist Massimiliano Facchini, as “Two Soloists Together ּ Four Hands Across The Sea”. “Two Souls, one great technique, exceptional phrasing, and an incredible ability to interpret the music they perform. It is a joy listening to them” (America Oggi, New York).
EDUCATION
Born in Santo Domingo, Claudette Munné began piano studies at the age of four at the “Academia Dominicana De Música” under the guidance of Milagros Beras y Edith Hernández de Windt, whose musical heritage comes from the great Spanish composer Enrique Granados. Along with her music studies, Ms. Munné obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business from the “Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra” in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Following that, she received a Bachelor and a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where she studied under the tutelage of the distinguished Dr. Marc Silverman, Chairman of the Piano Department. During her musical studies in New York, Ms. Munné received a scholarship from the “Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional” to study with György Sándor at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía in Santander, Spain.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PIANO STUDIES:
- Edith Hernández de Windt, “Academia Dominicana De Música,” Santo Domingo. Her musical heritage comes from the esteemed Spanish composer Enrique Granados.
- Milagros Beras, “Academia Dominicana De Música,” Santo Domingo. Her musical heritage comes from Maestro Carlo Bruno, “Santa Cecilia” Music Conservatory, Rome, Italy. He was a pupil of Maestro Vincenzo Vitale, one of the greatest professors of the Neapolitan piano school.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PIANO STUDIES:
- Marc Silverman, Manhattan School of Music, New York.
- Alicia De Larrocha, private coaching in occasion of orchestra debut performing Manuel de Falla masterpiece “Nights in the Garden of Spain”.
