Dr. Anita Kupriss
Dr. Anita Kupriss
Currently I am artistic director of a new professional mixed choir called "Labyrinth Choir." My vision for this choir is "seeking the heart of music through the art of singing." We just performed a love-themed Valentine's Day program at First Church in Cambridge, performing songs of love and including a ballroom dance pair dancing a slow waltz, tango and a fox trot.
In May of 2009 I received my doctorate in choral conducting from Boston University. In 1989/90 I received two master's degrees from New England Conservatory in Boston,MA, in composition and choral conducting. Since I love to conduct, I have been director of music at Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington, MA, co-conductor of four summer music camp choirs in Riga, Latvia; assistant conductor of the professional chorus "Boston Secession" and assistant conductor of the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum.In May of 2009 I received my doctorate in choral conducting from Boston University. In 1989/90 I received two master's degrees from New England Conservatory in Boston,MA, in composition and choral conducting. Since I love to conduct, I have been director of music at Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington, MA, co-conductor of four summer music camp choirs in Riga, Latvia; assistant conductor of the professional chorus "Boston Secession" and assistant conductor of the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum. I love to sing and have performed all over the world with the Latvian vocal and instrumental ensemble "Kolibri." I played trumpet professionally for 15 years in the greater Boston area.
In 2012 I had three premieres--it was a good year! My song "Soul Tea" for recorded tea kettle and two women's voices was performed at the 12th Annual Women Composers Festival in Hartford, CT on March 8. Two of the fantastic singers from my professional choir Labyrinth Choir performed: Kathryn Denney and Lisa Hadley. The phenomenal Lorelei ensemble performed a work that they commissioned called "Infinite Mercy." My third premiere was "Who's Chasing Me?" performed by the stellar Amber Flute Quartet in Brookline, MA on April 15. I also posted all three of my premieres on YouTube.
Labyrinth Choir sang my song "Run the Riggin' Again," at their May 20, 2012 concert. This is a song about a woman who dresses up as a man to join the Queen's Navy.
A women's choral piece called "Let My Magnificent Songs Pour Forth" was performed in Riga, Latvia in November 2009 by the professional women's chorus called "Putni" {Birds}. My Latvian folk song arrangement "Sun, Dress Yourself in Silver" was performed in August of 2010 in Rejkavik, Iceland at the Nordic-Baltic Choral Festival.
I want to compose choral music and program choral concerts that speak to issues of today and celebrate diversity and foster multi-culturalism in all ways. Musicians can change the world through music! Imagine if we spent even millions of dollars on ways for cultures to sing, dance and perform together instead of on bombs, war, and defense. I am looking to start a chorus and feature my own and other composers' works that reflect these concepts and ideals. I have been writing music since my high school days and realized that I have to write music--I have no choice. It doesn't matter if it gets performed or not--although getting it performed is preferred!
