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Norma Gentile

Soprano

Education

Bachelor of Music with Distinction, Voice Performance University of Michigan December 1979
-voice study with Leonard Johnson (2 years) and Ralph Herbert (1 year)
-conducting with Lawrence Marsh (1 year))
-keyboard study (2 years)
-language study of Spanish, French, German and Italian (1 semester each)
-movement for actors with Irene Connors (2 years)
-various roles in opera productions (Strauss, Mozart)
-premiere of songs by composition students

Master of Music, Voice Performance University of Michigan May 1981
-voice study with Leonard Johnson (2 years)
-vocal pedagogy with various faculty members (1 semester)
-graduate courses in Spanish literature
-conducting with Thomas Hilbish (1year)
-studio singer for graduate conductors working with Gustav Meier
-roles in opera productions (Mozart, Menotti)
-soloist in Early Music Ensemble conducted by Edward Parmentier

Interlochen Summer 1978
-opera role (Humperdinck)



Post-Graduate Studies

Cursillo de Música Antigua - Daroca, Spain 1981, 1982
Study of early Italian vocal technique and performance practice with Rosemarie Miester (of Switzerland's Canti Amorosi Ensemble). Scholarship awarded. Soloist on faculty/student concerts.

Música Antigua en El Escorial - El Escorial, Spain 1982
General study of Voice, performance practice and baroque gesture with Nigel Rogers and others. Soloist in choir directed by Phillipe Herreweghe.

Academy of Early Music - University of Michigan 1982, 1983
Specific study in early Italian and French solo and choral literature. Assistantship granted second year.

Baroque Performance Institute - Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 1984
Study of voice with Max van Egmond, baroque dance and gesture with Catherine Turocy. Assistantship granted.

Aston Magna - Rutgers University, Rutgers, New Jersey 1984
Study of voice with David Thomas. Scholarship awarded.

Private Study of voice with Emma Kirkby 1984

The Fortepiano in Ensemble Music - Westfield Center, Easthampton, Massachusetts 1985
Masterclass with Max van Egmond on Mozart Lieder recorded by NPR.

Workshop in 18th Century Music - Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario 1985
Study of voice with Jeffrey Dooley. Performances with Colin Tilney and soloists from Tafelmusik (Mozart, Beethoven). Scholarship awarded.


Related Studies

Music and Medicine

-Violin Study with Emily Austin (principle, Detroit Symphony Orchestra) 1970-75
-Baroque Dance and Gesture with Catherine Turocy (New York Baroque Dance Company) and Elaine Biagi Turner (Danse Baroque Canada) 1983-89.
-Alexander Technique private study and workshops with Alice Greminger and Bruce Fertman (Director of Alexander School of Philadelphia) 1987 to 1995.
-Self-Presentation Seminar with Stan Grindstaff 1988
-Music and Medicine Workshop - Grand Rapids 1988
-Therapeutic Listening Workshop with Gary Diggins - New York 1989
-Physical Anatomy with Stephen Price (D.C.) 1990 to 1992
-Eurythmy through the Steiner Institute of Ann Arbor 1991

Intuitive/Spiritual Development Courses

Attunement Studies through Emissaries International 1989-1994
-Spiritual Expression Course #1 - England 1990
-Spiritual Expression Course #2 - California 1992
-Attunement workshops (Colorado, California, Illinois, and New York) 1991-93
-Completed apprenticeship 1994
Flower of Life (video course) - MerKaBa with Drunvalo Melchizedek 1994
Multidimensional Cellular Healing with Ken Page 1995
Mahatma/I AM training with Adam David 1996
Ann Arbor Practical Psychic Institute - Auric readings, healing and channeling. All course work with Seth channel John Friedlander, 1996 to 1998.
Earth/Sky Workshop with Drunvalo Melchizedek 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003 as assistant



Performing Experience

Cuadro Musical 1981-83
Soloist in Spanish early music ensemble with Eduardo López Banzo (Al Ayre Español).

Oriana 1983 to present
Soloist with early music ensemble performing in Midwest and East Coast cities. Repertoire consists of Baroque and Classical chamber music.

Michigan Bach Festival 1985
Concert soloist

Boston Early Music Festival 1987
Concert soloist

Academy of Early Music 1987 to present
Concert soloist, appearances with Paul Hillier and Jaap Schröder.

Toledo Opera 1988-89
Roles performed: Massenet's Cendrillon (stepmother); Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel (witch); Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea (Poppea).

Solo Chant Concerts of music by Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) 1994 to present. Solo performances in US and Canada.


Teaching Experience

-Private vocal studio in Spain 1981-83
-Private vocal studio in Ann Arbor 1983 to present
-Faculty member (part time) Practical Psychic Center of Ann Arbor 1997 to 1998.
-Faculty member (part time) Essence Point Spiritual Center 1998 to present
-Private Intuitive Sessions and Coaching 1992 to present
Specializing in professional singers, speakers, healers and actors. Includes working with cast members of Vagina Monologues and Lion King in New York post 9/11, many 'new age' presenters

 

Workshop Experience

Lecture/Demonstrations with Oriana 1985-87
Albion College, University of Michigan - Flint, Detroit Public Library, Alma College, Tecumseh, and residency in Alpena Public Schools

Singing the Songs of Hildegard von Bingen 1995 to present
An experiential introduction to her music and times. Participants learn two chants and some basics of chant notation and performance practice. Past presenters include Call To Action, Wells College (New York) and the Detroit Steiner Community.

Sacred Chant Workshop Series 1996 to 1997
A monthly series of workshops introducing people to chant from various sacred traditions, both Western and Eastern. Co-sponsored by local churches.

Healing with Sacred Sound 1995 to present
A series of workshop devoted to exploring singing,chant and sound for relaxation and healing purposes. Sponsored by Call to Action, Association of Humanistic Psychology, a variety of churches, new age bookstores and spiritual centers.

Sound Healing and the Heart of Light 2000 to present
The Heart of Light is an emerging energy that results from the balancing of Sacred Masculine and Sacred Feminine within our hearts. It can be opened through prayer, meditation and chant.


Seminar for Healers/Message Givers/Intuitives on Channeling/Connecting to Spirit 2002
Connecting to angelic guides with greater accuracy helps to avoid fatigue, chronic physical issues, increase the clarity of the information and avoid healer burn out.


Conducting Experience

Assistant Conductor - Taller de Música, a mixed voice choir of college students and townspeople in Zaragoza, Spain. Vocal pedagogy and partial rehearsals. 1981-83.

Assistant Conductor - Los Infantes del Pilar, a cathedral boys and men choir in Spain. Responsible for vocal pedagogy and historical interpretation. 1982-83.

Music Director and Conductor of Calvary Presbyterian Church Choir, a small (100 members) church in Ann Arbor. Responsible for many unique performances which included members of Ars Musica, the Baroque Orchestra, performing church anthems of Handel and Purcell, Vivaldi's Gloria (in the first original instrument performance in Michigan) and works of Monteverdi. 1986-1990.

Music Director and Conductor of Our Lady's Madrigal Singers, a semi-professional mixed-voice ensemble specializing in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire. The ensemble moved beyond their amateur status and recorded two commercial albums during my tenure. 1989-1994.

Related Experience

Founder and Director of Oriana, an original instruments ensemble. 1983 to present. Promotions and bookings for midwest and local concerts, audience outreach, grant applications, general management duties.

Assistant Manager of Ars Musica, the Baroque Orchestra based in Ann Arbor. 1984-85. Organized and carried out a 30-city tour with Harold Shaw Management, managed three local concert series, general office duties.

Board of Directors, Academy of Early Music, Treasurer 1989-1993, President 1993-1995. Publicity and promotion for local concert series, general duties of treasurer, managing group insurance policy, fund-raising, concert promotion and production.

Executive Director, Healing Chants, 1999 to present. A for-profit organization dedicated to uniting the arts and spirit for healing purposes. Sponsors concerts encouraging meditation, workshops on mind, body and spiritual awareness for general public and advanced seminars for musicians, actors, and healing practitioners of alternative and mainstream modalities. Publishing branch begun 2001 for audio and print, as well as web resources.


Recording Experience

Radio España 1981-83
-Vocal soloist with early music ensemble Cuadro Musical
-Vocal soloist in concerts during the Cursillos de Música Antigua
-Assistant Conductor of Los Infantes del Pilar
-Assistant Conductor and soloist with Taller de Música concerts

National Public Radio 1983 to present
-Solo concerts of Hildegard von Bingen's chant &endash; various cities
-Soloist with Oriana, up to 20 concerts per year recorded and broadcast
-Soloist with Academy of Early Music, one concert per year
-Soloist with Toledo Opera
-Conductor of Our Lady's Madrigal Singers, 1 - 2 concerts per year

Discography

Healing Chants of Hildegard von Bingen 2002
Healing Chants - HC 4302 (live concert, solo vocal, some spoken)

Meditation Chants of Hildegard von Bingen 1996
-Schoolkids' Records - SKR 1803 (solo vocal)
-Ave Maria Press - AMP 894-6 re-released 1997

Unfurling Love's Creation - chants of Hildegard von Bingen 1997
-Lyrichord Discs - LEMS 8027 (solo vocal)

Songs of Love and Death - Renaissance Madrigals 1994
-Our Lady's Madrigal Singers directed by Norma Gentile

This Endris Night - Christian and Jewish Seasonal Music 1992
-Our Lady's Madrigal Singers directed by Norma Gentile

 

Publications / Articles

Sedona Journal 1999 to present
------Intuitive Articles published on various topics
PhenomeNEWS Magazine 1999 to present
------Articles on sound and healing, various topics published monthly
Spirit in the Smokies 1998
Community Connexion 1998-1999
Crazy Wisdom 1998
Early Music America Magazine 1998-1999
Christian Women's Network 1999
------Articles on sound and healing, various topics
Healing Chants Monthly Newsletter 2001 to present

Books
Medicine Eagle, Brook "The Last Ghost Dance"
-contributor

TV / Radio

Harmonia (hour interview, Hildegard's music)
Watching the Detectives (30 min interview, sound healing)
CBS-TV (interview and live healing demonstration)
Emerging Renaissance ( 2 one-half hour TV interviews, sacred geometry, sound healing, how-to demonstrations)
WDAV - Concert/Workshop (North Carolina)
WBNI Concert/Workshop (Indiana)
WDET/Michigan Public Radio -All Things Considered Interview by Nkenge Zola
Radio Kultura (Germany) Interview by Rainer Baumgartener
WQRS (Detroit) Interview by Dave Wagner

Reviews

American Record Guide
Grammophone
Yoga Journal
Creation Spirituality Network Magazine
Early Music America Magazine
Christianity and the Arts
Harmonia
Fanfare
Classical Net
CosmicDebris
Critics Choice

 

Performances and Workshops
Please see
list of Presenters