Faculty

Profile

To write beautiful music that speaks to our age but is also grounded in a classical, timeless tradition.

Stefania de Kenessey discusses teaching and learning at Lang in a project made possible with a grant from Bringing Theory to Practice.

Selection of courses taught:

- The Human Voice
- Composition & Analysis
- Musical Aesthetics
- The Language of Music
- The Drama of Opera

Degrees Held

PhD, Music Composition, Princeton University
MFA, Music Composition, Princeton University
BA summa cum laude, Yale University

Professional Affiliation

ASCAP
National Association of Composers
International Alliance for Women in Music (founding president)
New Music for Young Ensembles (competition judge)

Performances and Appearances

Live Performances

"The Bonfire of the Vanities" opera in three acts, based on the novel by Tom Wolfe, premiered at El Teatro at El Museo del Barrio

Musical score for "Influence", award-winning film written and directed by Michael Bergmann

“High Summer”, song cycle for soprano and ensemble, premiered by Adina Aaron at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall

Concertos for trumpet “Cutting Loose” and flute “Manned Flight,” premiered by Chris Gekker and Elizabeth Mann by Manhattan Chamber Orchestra

“Entrances and Depatures,” song cycle for mezzosoprano and baritone with orchestra, premiered by Maria Zifchak and Daniel Mobbs with the North/South Chamber Orchestra

Recordings

“Autumn Elegy,” 9/11 memorial song cycle (poems by Dana Gioia), released by baritone Christopheren Nomura on Center Stage Records

​Radio/Television

David Garland, WNYC-FM, evening broadcast

“Art Under the Radar”, PBS stations throughout the country

Research Interests

The future of classical music (as well as other media) after modernism; founder and artistic director of the “Derriere Guard”, an alliance of traditionalist contemporary artists.

Awards And Honors

ASCAP Awards

Meet the Composer

Guest lectures and master classes, Brown University, the Hartt School, the Juilliard School