MURIEL ANDERSON - Widely
respected as one of the country's foremost guitarists, Muriel Anderson is the
first woman to have won the National Finger picking Guitar Championship. She is
host and originator of the renowned "Muriel Anderson's ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT®"
and founder of the Music for Life Alliance, to support music education in
schools and grassroots programs nationwide. Muriel fell in love with the guitar
at an early age and learned every style available to her, culminating in
classical guitar study at DePaul University. She went on to study with classical
virtuoso Christopher Parkening and with Nashville legend Chet Atkins. She has
composed music since about age six, and has written music for guitar and strings
as well as songs, solo compositions, choral and orchestral works. A composer and
award winning guitarist. Anderson studied classical music in college at DePaul
University with Leon Borkowski. She later took master courses with classical
virtuoso Christopher Parkening. In 1989 she became the first woman to win the
National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. Her recordings have traveled as far
as outer space, accompanying the astronauts on a space shuttle mission. Anderson
is founder & director of the Music for Life Alliance. She is also the founder
and host of the All Star Guitar Night which donates its proceeds to the Music
for Life Alliance.
Muriel Anderson’s unique approach to the instrument has been said to virtually
transform the guitar into a lyrical choir, then a marching band, then a Japanese
koto, then a bluegrass band, amazing audiences with her technique and endearing
them with her sense of humor. Her brilliance across the genres of folk,
classical, jazz, bluegrass, and world music is revered by guitarists worldwide.
She can be heard in concert and as a guest on radio shows across the globe
performing her unique arrangements and original compositions.
Her grandfather was a saxophone player in John Phillip Sousa’s band, and her
mother was a piano teacher. Her musical heritage showed early when an inspired
six year old Muriel began composing her own songs. Muriel counts among her
mentors and friends Christopher Parkening and Chet Atkins. A gifted teacher
herself, she has inspired many students around the world in workshops with her
moving personal insights into performance and pedagogy.
Muriel Anderson has a released fourteen CDs, nine videos/DVDs, and numerous
guitar books published by Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, and Zen-On Japan. Her
compositions include commissioned classical works for the Nashville Chamber
Orchestra and Vox Caelestis Women’s Choir, as well as songs which have appeared
as title tracks for three albums by various artists. Muriel’s Heartstrings
recording traveled as far as outer space, accompanying the astronauts on a space
shuttle mission. Muriel is a member of the advisory board for Mel Bay
Publications.
Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night benefits the
Music For Life Alliance
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