EFRAIN ALBERTO AMAYA

EDUCATION

• Master of Music (Orchestral Conducting) - 1988 - Shepherd School of Music, Rice University.
• Bachelor of Music (Composition) - 1985 - Indiana University.
• Bachelor of Music (Piano) - 1985 -Indiana University.

EXPERIENCE

Conductor & Music Director Positions

• Music Director, Minot Symphony Orchestra 2015 to present.
• Music Director, Ilú Media & Design 2013 to present.
• Music Director, Tanz Theater André Koslowski 2008 to present.
• Music Director/Conductor and Founder of The Point Chamber Orchestra in the Spring of 2006.
• Resident Conductor, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. Fall 1993 to May 2009.
• Music Director/Conductor, Greensburg American Opera Spring 2005 to 2008.
• Music Director/Conductor, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras, Fall 2000 to 2006.
• Associate Conductor, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Fall 1994 to 2007.
• Music Director/Conductor, Carnegie Mellon University Contemporary Ensemble, Fall 2000 to Spring 2002.
• Music Director/Conductor, Westmoreland Youth Symphony Orchestra, Greensburg, PA, May 1996 to July 2002.
• Music Director, Youth Symphony Orchestra Núcleo la Rinconada Caracas, Venezuela, May 1989 to August 1992.
• Conductor and manager, Campanile Orchestra, a community orchestra based at Rice University, Houston, Texas, 1985-1988.
• Conductor, Pequeño Grupo Coral P.G.C., a chamber choir from 1977 to 1979. Conductor, female choir at the Mereci High School and the "Coro de la Escuela de Antropología y Sociología de la Universidad Central" from 1978 to 1979, Caracas, Venezuela.

  Guest Conductor Appearances

• Elite Strings, North Wales, PA, December 10, 2011.
• Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, November 11, 2011.
• Giovane Filarmonica Del Veneto, Chioggia, Italy, July 24 & 31, 2010.
• The City Music Center Chamber Orchestra, Pittsburgh, PA, February 15, 2008.
• The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Greensburg, PA, December 8 & 9, 2007.
• Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico, May 20, 2007.
• Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra, Pittsburgh, PA, May 6, 2007.
• Washington Symphony Orchestra, Washington, PA, February 10, 2007.
• The Point Chamber Orchestra, inaugural Italy tour performing 7 concerts in: Chioggia, La Fenice Theater in Venice, Basilica of Saint Frances of Assisi, the Piazza Duomo in Chiusi, Chianciano Terme, La Scarzuola in Montegabbione, and the Parco della Musica in Rome. July 2006.
• Musik Innovations Summer Camp, Pittsburgh, PA, June 24, 2006.
• D’Angelo Summer Music Camp, Erie, PA, July 1, 2005.
• Musik Innovations Summer Camp, Pittsburgh, PA, June 18, 2005.
• Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, Edgewood, PA, December 4, 2004.
• Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra, Harrisonburg, VA, March 28, 2004.
• Shenandoah Valley Junior Strings, Harrisonburg, VA, March 28, 2004.
• Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, Monroeville, PA, March 13, 2004.
• McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, McKeesport, PA, 2000.
• PMEA District I Orchestra Festival hosted by Fox Chapel Area School District and Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, PA, 1998. 
• PMEA District I Junior High Orchestra Festival hosted by Norwin School District, Pittsburgh, PA, 1996. 
• Orquesta Sinfónica de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina, 1993 and 1995.
• Orquesta Sinfónica Municipal, Caracas, Venezuela, 1989 and 1991.
• Sinfónica de Maracaibo, Maracaibo, Venezuela, 1989 and 1992.
• Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, 1989.
• Jóvenes Arcos de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela, 1992.
• Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar del Táchira, San Cristóbal, Venezuela, 1991.
• Participant of the 3rd Arturo Toscanini International Competition at Parma, Italy, June 1987.

       CD Releases as a Conductor

• Efraín Amaya - Clepsydra. Albany Records (TROY1075) 02/01/2009.
• Efraín Amaya.- Bird House. National Aviary (CD Feathered Jewels Gala) 2006.
• Carson Cooman - Pittsburgh Concerto. Zimbel Records (Catalogue #ZR108) 11/22/2006.
• Pozzi Escot - Violin Concerto. Neuma Records (Neuma 450-106) 8/22/2006.
• Efraín Amaya - Pájaros de Trés Alas & Polaris. Élan Recordings (CD 82424) 6/1/2001.
• Gerard Lopez - "Dialogues". 'Col-lecciós de Música Catalana Contemporània volum 3' 2000.

       Conducting Teachers

• Orchestral conducting studies with Samuel Jones at Rice University, Houston, TX, 1985-1988.
• Orchestral conducting studies with Uri Mayer at Rice University, Houston TX, 1986-1987.
• Orchestral conducting studies with Benjamin Zander, Music Director/Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic at Rice University, Houston, TX, 1986-1987.
• Orchestral conducting studies with Thomas Baldner at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, summers of 1983 and 1984.
• Choral conducting studies with María Guinan and Michell Eustache at the José Lorenzo Llamozas Music Conservatory, Caracas, Venezuela, 1977-1979.

       Conducting Workshops

• Active participant in the Conductor's Guild Workshop with Gustav Meier, Catherine Comet, at Michigan University, Ann Harbor, MI, spring of 1993.
• Active participant in the Conductor's Guild Workshop Michael Charry and Samuel Jones at Rice University, Houston, TX, spring of 1988.
• Active participant at the International Festival Domaine Forget under the guidance of Pierre Dervaux, Saint-Irénée, Canada, July to August 1987.
• Active participant in the Conductor's Guild Workshop with Otto Müller, and Samuel Jones at the Curtis Institute, Philadelphia, PA, spring 1987.
• Active participant in the Conductor's Guild Workshop with Sergiu Comissiona, Harold Farberman and Samuel Jones at Rice University, Houston, TX, spring of 1986.

       Composer

  Selected Commissions & Performances
• Premiered of Un Camino for cello and orchestra by Kim Cook who commissioned it with the State College Summer Orchestra on August 3rd 2013 at State College, PA.
• Premiered of Chocolat for bassoon solo by Jim R. Whipple who commissioned it to be part of The Renaissance City Winds “Latin American Fiesta“ concert, on November 26th 2012 in Pittsburgh, PA.
• La Bisbetica Domata, Chamber opera commissioned and premiered by International Opera Theater in Cittá della Pieve, Italy, August 24th, 25th & 26th of 2010.
• World première of Mater Dei for soprano and strings and Fuzz for solo trumpet and strings performed by the Giovane Filarmonica Del Veneto in an all Amaya program also including Angelica, Wuaraira Repano, Soledad y el mar (Maid of Blue) & Parasol. Chioggia, Italy, August 29th & 31st of 2010.
• Marahuaka, a concerto for three marimbas and wind orchestra commissioned by Robert Boudreau and the Wind Symphony Orchestra was premiered and performed in 12 concerts during their 2009 tour.
• Four Xanadu world première with the Pennsylvania Dance Theater and the Point Chamber Orchestra, State College, PA. 07/12/08.
• Wuaraira Repano performed by clarinetist Jorge Montilla and the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carlos Izcaray as part of the XV Festival Latinoamericano de Música, Caracas, Venezuela on May 24, 2008.
• The Renaissance City Winds as part of their Accent on Rhythm concert premiered the commissioned piece Kaleidoscope for woodwind quintet on September 16, 2007, Antonian Theater, Pittsburgh, PA. Additional performance on September 22, 2007, Aspinwall, PA.
• Jubilee, for flute and piano was selected for performance for the 35th Annual National Flute Association Convention. Carlyn Lloyd, flute, who commissioned it, and the composer at the piano, Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 11, 2007.
• Pennsylvania Dance Theater performed Silent Conversations, for two cellos as part of Jala, a repertory concert at The State Theatre in State College, PA, on Saturday July 14, 2007. Choreographed by PDT Artistic Director André Koslowski.
• Mr. Amaya’s children’s opera Phantasmagorilla? No! Phantasmagoria was premiered and commissioned by Opera Theater of Pittsburgh and Gateway to the Arts on February 24, 2007. The Point Chamber Orchestra performed under the baton of Mr. Amaya.
• Labco Dance commissioned, Soul Carrier,written for two cellos and with the choreography by Labco artistic director Gwen Hunter Ritchie was premiered on December 1, 2006.
• Waraira Repano, a  clarinet concerto was commissioned and premiered by the Duquesne University Contemporary Ensemble conducted by David Stock and José Gomez as clarinet soloist on April 5, 2006.
• Mr. Amaya was a Meet The Composer Composer-in-Residence with Gateway to the Arts, WQED-FM, Renaissance City Wind Music Society and Shaler School District for three years from September of 2001 to September of 2004, made possible by Meet The Composer, Inc. and its New Residencies program.
• On June 9th, 2004, the pieces Aguaclara and Maroon Dreams were performed as part of the Composer Showcase 2004 (Spotlight on music of Round IX New Residencies). Douglas Ahlsted, tenor and David Premo, cello joined the Renaissance City Winds at the First English Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA.
• On June 11th, 2004 the vocal piece, El Molinero was given its American premiere by the Bellefield Singers as part of “An Evening of Chamber Music” hosted by Chamber Music America. The Renaissance City Winds joined the Bellefield Singers to première my piece Ocean Light the same night at the First English Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Albany Records, (Albany, NY), released the two cellos version of Mr. Amaya’s piece, “Silent Conversations” performed by Christopher Pegis and Cheeko Matsusaka, as part of a CD called “Zoo of Dreams” in the spring of 2004.
• The Renaissance City Winds as part of their Hammered Strings concert premiered the commissioned sextet "Sidewalk Divertimenti" for piano and woodwind quintet on May 18, 2003, Pittsburgh, PA. Additional performances on May 24, Aspinwall, PA, and on May 16 and 17, Bedford, PA.
• The octet "Polaris" was selected for performance as part of the Seattle Symphony's Viva la Música Festival on May 10, 2003, Seattle, WA. The Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University Contemporary Ensembles have also performed it.
• Composed original music to the film Fading Away by Vanessa Briceño. Film selected for the 2003 Philadelphia Film Festival, Philadelphia, PA.
• The commissioned sextet "Aguaclara" for cello and woodwind quintet was premiered by the Renaissance City Winds as part of their Crystal concerts on February 9 and 10, 2002, Pittsburgh, PA. The Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble gave its second performance on October 10, 2002, Pittsburgh, PA.
• "A Sense of Time" Music of Efraín Amaya, CD released by Élan Recordings, Riverdale, MD, on June 1, 2001.
• "Angelica", a work for string orchestra was commissioned and premiered by the Sewickley BACHfest, comprised by members of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, in September 2000, Sewickley, PA. Other performances by the Point Chamber Orchestra, the “Orquesta Sinfónica Universidad de Concepción” the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra.
• "Clepsydra, an Operatic Installation with 13 Performers" performed as part of the "First Night" celebrations on New Year's Eve 2000 at the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh in downtown Pittsburgh, PA, sponsored by the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and the Heinz Endowment.
• The flute and piano piece "Malagigi the Sorcerer" was premiered by Alberto Almarza, flute and Luz Manríquez, piano as part of the Renaissance City Wind concert series in December 1999. They have also performed it as part of the Shady Side concert series in February 2000, the Julliard School of Music as part of Jeanne Baxtresser's International Flute Master class in June 2000, New York, NY. It has been feature at the Gala concert of the 32nd Annual National Flute Association Convention, Nashville, TN, in August 2004 and the 29th Annual National Flute Association Convention, Dallas, TX, in August 2001.
• "Bird House" for flute nonet was commissioned by Michael Pestel and performed as part of Ornithology, a dance/movement performance at the National Aviary of Pittsburgh, PA in April 2000.
• "Silent Conversations", for cello solo. Music composed for a short film with the same name by Vanessa Briceño, Philadelphia, PA, 1999.  Its latest performance as a multimedia piece was at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CA, by the Turtle Island String Quartet’s cellist Mark Swimmer on May 30, 2003. The premiere of this piece as a multimedia work was by cellist Miguel Rojas as part of a Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble concert, Pittsburgh, PA, 2000.
• Alberto Almarza, flute and Luz Manríquez, piano, premiered "Dúo Ami" for flute and piano in Boston as part of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project concert series piano, Boston, MA, April 1995. It has been also performed as part of the Shady Side concert series, 1998, and the U3 Festival on March 15, 2003, both at Pittsburgh, PA.
• “Soledad y el Mar” (Maid in Blue) performed by the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic conducted by Efraín Amaya, Pittsburgh, PA, March, 2000.
• “Pájaros de Tres Alas” (Birds of three wings) performed and recorded for Élan Recordings by the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble conducted by Efraín Amaya, Pittsburgh, PA, 1998. The same ensemble and conductor performed it again in the year 2000.
• "Explosión de una Memoria", Electronic piece composed for the painting installation by Susana Amundaraín, Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas. Caracas, Venezuela 1994.
• String Quartet selected for performances for the "XVII Foro Internacional De Musica Nueva Manuel Enriquez" in Mexico City, Mexico, May 1995, the VIII and XI "Festival Latinoamericano de Música" in Caracas, Venezuela, 1994 and 2000; and during the Festival of Venezuelan Music, organized by the American Composers Orchestra in Weill Recital Hall, New York, NY, 1994.
• The Orquesta Sinfónica de Tucumán conducted by Efraín Amaya gave the premiere of "Pájaros de Tres Alas" (Birds of three wings), Tucumán, Argentina, 1993.
• Soledad y el Mar (Maid in Blue) performed by the Orquesta Sinfónica Municipal conducted by Efraín Amaya, Caracas, Venezuela, 1991.
• The Carnegie Mellon University Contemporary Music Ensemble has premiered the following works: "Indigo Concerto", a concerto for flute and orchestra, piece commissioned and performed by Alberto Almarza, flute, and Efraín Amaya conducting, December, 2000.
• Silent Conversations for cello solo, Miguel Rojas, cello, 2000; and the octet Polaris in 1997, Efraín Amaya conducting.
• The Carnegie Mellon University Contemporary Music Ensemble has also performed the following works: Four Miniatures for Flute and Clarinet, 2003;Aguaclara sextet for cello and woodwind quintet, October, 2002; Brass Quintet in 1994; and Recuedos for viola solo, with Pittsburgh Symphony member Joén Vasquez, 1993.
• Campanile Orchestra under the baton of Efraín Amaya premiered Soledad y el Mar (Maid in Blue) at Rice University, Houston, TX, 1988.
• Rice University New Music Ensemble performed "Three Songs" for Mezzo-soprano and piano in 1987, and "Brass Quintet" in 1988.
• Compositions performed and premiered in Student Composition Recitals at Indiana University 1980-1985. Among these compositions "Four Miniatures for Flute and Clarinet", "Ikarus" for woodwind quintet, "Three Songs” for Mezzo-soprano and piano, "Brass Quintet" and the "String Quartet.
• "The pieces "Four Miniatures for Flute and Clarinet" and "Brass Quintet" were selected by the Latin America Music Center at Indiana University for performance, Bloomington, IN, 1981 and 1984.

     Music Festivals & Conventions

• Lecturer at the II Congreso Puertorriqueño de Creación Musical in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2011.
• The octet Polaris was selected to be part of the Seattle Symphony's Viva la Mœsica Festival on May 10, 2003, Seattle, WA.
• The String Quartet No. 1 was selected for performance during the American Composers Orchestra Festival of Venezuelan Music at Weill Recital Hall in New York, NY, 1994.
• The String Quartet No. 1 the XVII Foro Internacional de Mœsica Nueva Manuel Enr’quez in Mexico City, Mexico, May 1995.
• Music selected to participate in the XV, XVI, XI and VIII Festival Latinoamericano de Mœsica in Caracas, Venezuela.
• Amaya's music for flute has been selected for performance in the 39th, 38th, 37th, 35th, 32nd and 29th Annual National Flute Association Conventions.
• Malagigi the Sorcerer for flute and piano had been performed during the Gala Concert of the Jeanne Baxtresser International Master Classes at Carnegie Mellon University (May 2003) and the Juilliard School in New York (June 2000), NY.
• Dúo Ami for flute piano performed at the Modern Orchestra Project recital series in 1998. Boston, MA.

       Composition Teachers:

• Composition studio studies with Ib Nørholm at Rice University, Houston, TX, 1988.
• Composition studio studies with Daniel Börtz at Rice University, Houston, TX, 1987.
• Composition studio studies with Ellsworth Millburn at Rice University, Houston, TX, 1986.
• Composition studio studies with John Eaton at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1981-1985.
• Composition studio studies with Juan Orrego-Salas at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1982.
• Composition studio studies with Frederick Fox at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1982.
• Advanced Orchestration studies with Earl Brown, Frederick Fox, Harvey Sollberger and Ellsworth Millburn at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1981-1985.

       Composition Workshops:

• Active participant in Franco Donatoni's Summer composition seminar at the Accademia Chigiana, Siena, Italy 1982.
• Active participant in the composition workshops by Hans Werner Henze, and Brian Ferneyhough at the Accademia Chigiana, Siena, Italy 1982.

       Pianist

• Piano Accompanist to Bel Canto Children's Chorus - Spring 2012 to present, Trappe, PA.
• Pianist for two of the works on "A Sense of Time" Music of Efraín Amaya, CD released by Élan Recordings, Riverdale, MD, June 1, 2001.
• Keyboard player in the River City Brass Band CD "Heartland", Pittsburgh, PA 1998.
• Orchestral pianist, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra (Greensburg, PA) and the Altoona Symphony (Altoona, PA) 1995-1999.
• Pianist and Music Director of the Three Penny Opera production in the Drama Department at Carnegie Mellon University, Spring 1993.
• Accompanist at the Emil Friedman Music School, Caracas, Venezuela 90-92.
• Music Adviser and pianist of the Ballet International of Caracas (Teresa Carreño), Caracas, Venezuela, from 7/88 until 12/88.
• Student of Shigeo Neriki, 1982-1985, Zadel Skolovsky, 1980-1982, Indiana University, and Harriet Serr, 1978-1980, Venezuela.
• Pianist, New Music Ensemble of Indiana University in 1985, participating in their tour of New York, Philadelphia and Indianapolis.
• Participant in several piano master classes at Indiana University.Active accompanist throughout college.