Muriel Anderson
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Muriel Anderson, born in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a composer and award winning guitarist. Anderson studied classical music in college at DePaul University with Leon Borkowski. She later took master courses with classical virtuoso Christopher Parkening. In 1989 she became the first woman to win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. Her recordings have traveled as far as outer space, accompanying the astronauts on a space shuttle mission. Anderson is an Adjunct Faculty Instructor of guitar at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She is founder & director of the Music for Life Alliance. She is also the founder and host of the All Star Guitar Night which donates its proceeds to the Music for Life Alliance.
Muriel Anderson’s unique approach to the instrument has been said to virtually transform the guitar into a lyrical choir, then a marching band, then a Japanese koto, then a bluegrass band, amazing audiences with her technique and endearing them with her sense of humor.[citation needed] Her brilliance across the genres of folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass, and world music is revered by guitarists worldwide.[citation needed] She can be heard in concert and as a guest on radio shows across the globe performing her unique arrangements and original compositions.
Her grandfather was a saxophone player in John Phillip Sousa’s band, and her mother was a piano teacher. Her musical heritage showed early when an inspired six year old Muriel began composing her own songs. Muriel counts among her mentors and friends Christopher Parkening and Chet Atkins. A gifted teacher herself, she has inspired many students around the world in workshops with her moving personal insights into performance and pedagogy.
[edit] Recordings and Publications
Celebrating her depth as a guitarist, composer, and vocalist. Muriel Anderson has a released fourteen CDs, nine videos/DVDs, and numerous guitar books published by Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, and Zen-On Japan. Her compositions include commissioned classical works for the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and Vox Caelestis Women’s Choir, as well as songs which have appeared as title tracks for three albums by various artists. Muriel’s Heartstrings recording traveled as far as outer space, accompanying the astronauts on a space shuttle mission. Muriel is a member of the advisory board for Mel Bay Publications.
[edit] Selected Discography
CDS
- Harp Guitar Christmas, (pre-release November 2006)
- Wildcat, January 2006
- Uncut Gems, 2003
- New Classics for Guitar and Cello, 2003
- Theme for Two Friends (original release) 1999
- Journey Through Time [limited Release] 2003
- Music For Life (limited release), 2000
- Heartstrings, (Japan release) 1998
- Christmas in Nashville (Japan) 1998
- A Little Christmas Gift, 1995
- Le Duet, 1995
- Hometown Live, 1993
- Arioso from Paris, 1991
- Heartstrings, 1989
Compilations (Various Artists)
DVDS
- A Guitarscape Planet 2006
- Muriel Anderson Live in Europe, 2005
- Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night 10th Anniversary 2004
- Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night 2000, 2002
- Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night, 1998, re-released 2005
Books
- Selected Guitar Works, 2000
- All Scales in All Positions, 2000
- All Chords in All Positions, 1996
- Muriel Anderson Hometown Live, Songbook/CD 1998
- Building Guitar Arrangements from the Ground Up, Book/CD, 1994
- Chord Constellations Creative Concepts 1990
MISCELLANEOUS
- The Larson Creations Guitars & Mandolins (recorded CD for book)
- Glenn & Holly Yarbrough:Family Portrait CD (produced by Muriel Anderson, Folk Era Records 1995)
