GUITY ADJOODANI

Guity Adjoodani began playing the piano at the age of 5 in her native Iran, before coming to Washington, D.C., where she continued her studies with Hertha Aldama and Marie Von Unschuld. She holds a Master's Degree in Music , and an Artist Diploma in Performance from the Boston and New England Conservatories respectively, studying with Katja Andy, Theodore Lettvin and Miklos Schwalb.

In the summers of 1972 and 1973, she was awarded full scholarships to the Berkshire Music Festival in Tanglewood, Massachusetts, where she performed in the Master Classes of Claude Frank, Alexis Weissenberg and Andre Watts. She also performed in Chamber Music Concerts and with the Festival Orchestra under the batons of Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Bruno Maderna and Michael Tilson Thomas. Since winning the Arlington, Massachusetts Young Artists Competition in 1975, Ms. Adjoodani has concertized extensively in the United States and in Iran, both in recitals and as soloist with various orchestras under eminent conductors such as Rouben Gregorian, Maurice Le Roux and Gunther Schuller in addition to premiering the new compositions of several noted contemporary composers.

Ms. Adjoodani has been heard in the Washington-Metropolitan area in numerous concerts, including performances at the Renwick Gallery, George Washington University's Marvin Theatre, Towson State University Theatre and on the WGMS radio program, "Spotlight on the Artist." Several of her concerts have also been broadcast overseas by the Voice of America. Her Kennedy Center Debut Concert in 1985 was received with enthusiasm by both the audience and critics alike.

Ms. Adjoodani has served on the faculties of numerous music schools, namely the Boston Conservatory of Music in Boston, Mass. from 1970-76, the Tehran Conservatory of Music in Tehran, Iran from 1976-78, the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis, Maryland from 1978-80, The Baltimore High School for the Arts from 1980-81, The Peabody Institute of Music Preparatory Division from 1982-86, taught chorale music in Baltimore Public Schools K-5 classes from 1991-91, in addition to having her own private studio for the past 35 years. During this time, Ms. Adjoodani has taught piano in private and class sessions, Piano Ensemble and Music Appreciation classes, Choral Music in Public Schools, coached Chamber Music ensembles, and performed extensively throughout her life. Over the past 40 years, Ms. Adjoodani has combined careers as teacher, performer, and single parent of two beautiful and gifted children, now both in college.

In addition to her musical career, Ms. Adjoodani's interests in social issues led her to pursue a second Masters Degree in Social Work, which she received in 1993 from Howard University in Washington, D.C. In addition to her private teaching, she is presently employed as a full-time Social Worker in the Screening Unit of Child Welfare with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

It is with great pride in her heritage that she has recorded her first CD entitled "Journey to Iran."

Critics Write:

* * * . . . . . her sensitivity of interpretation touched one memorably . . . a very promising and gifted pianist. (Tehran Journal, March 8, 1977, Tehran, Iran)

* * * . . . . . Guity Adjoodani covered tremendous territory - from Bach to Scott Joplin - in her debut recital at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater yesterday afternoon and sparkled through most of that varied terrain. (Washington Post, May 20, 1985, Washington, D.C.)

* * * . . . . . a packed house . . . heard an exciting recital by pianist Guity Adjoodani . . . she played from deep within the music, and identified utterly with the composer's complex emotions. (Washington Post, September 19, 1991, Washington, D.C.

* * *. . . . an impeccable, pianist . . . Adjoodani plays with the soul of the best late-19th-century romantics . . . her tone was opulent, her articulation beautifully defined and her sense of phrasing felt as it it had been imparted to her directly from the spirit of Iranian peasantry. (Washington Post - Washington, D.C. - September, 29, 2004)

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