Meredith Monk (born 1942)
Meredith Monk was born in New York City. Her mother was a professional singer, and her maternal grandparents were also musicians. Meredith Monk studied composition at Sarah Lawrence, where she earned a bachelor’s degree.
Meredith Monk’s website describes her as a “composer, singer, director/choreographer and creator of new opera, music-theater works, films and installations.” Her music tends to focus on the voice (including extended techniques) and are often integrated into theatrical works or dance. For five decades she has been a much beloved figure in the “downtown” avant-garde music scene in New York City.
The first 8 minutes of this video is a performance of Meredith Monk’s 1984 composition Memory Song for three vocalists with instrumental accompaniment provided by the Bang on a Can ensemble.
Meredith Monk is in the center of the three singers.
She also composes for instrumental ensembles, such as this 2005 string quartet called Stringsongs: