JOHN PETER GIUNTA
MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND PERFORMANCE ARTIST
DESIGNER AND FACILITATOR OF THE "YOGA FOR MUSICIANS" WORKSHOP
AVAILABILITY: PRIVATE INSTRUCTION, GROUP WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES
CLASSICAL GUITAR, FOLK GUITARS, FLUTES, RECORDERS, DULCIMERS, THEREMIN, ACCORDION, MANDOLIN, TIBETAN SINGING BOWLS, OVERTONE SINGING AND ASSORTED PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS
MUSIC FOR SOCIAL OCCASIONS: HOUSEWARMINGS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, WEDDINGS, CHILDREN'S SING-ALONGS, FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES AND ALL OTHER SPIRITUALLY DRIVEN EVENTS
RECITAL PROGRAMS
POETRY READINGS
EXPERIMENTAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS
HIGHLIGHTS OF PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
SOLO RECITALS:
o Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, performance of classical guitar pieces and improvisations on guitar and alto flute with readings of poetry, 1996.
o George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, Hispanic Heritage Month, solo recital of Spanish and Latin-American Guitar music, 1993.
o National Science of Mind Center of Washington DC (now known as the Celebration Center of Religious Science), classical guitar compositions, poetry, and improvisations on guitars, flutes and glass harp, 1993.
o Borders Book Shop, lecture-recitals, "Aesthetics of Music and Language." Including guitar compositions, poetry, improvisations on classical guitar, alto flute and glass harp, January, July and November 1993.
o Hispanic Cultural Society at the Ellipse Arts Center, Arlington, Virginia, "Voices of Magic and Color: a Celebration of Contemporary Hispanic Art," classical guitar music for Christmas festival, 1992. o Metropolitan Washington MENSA, mixed media presentations and guitar recitals, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991.
o Bull Run Park, Centerville, Virginia, Inauguration of Amphitheater, 1990.
o George Mason University, solo student classical guitar recitals, 1988, 1989, 1993.
MIXED MEDIA EVENTS:
o Hispanic Cultural Society at the Ellipse Arts Center, "Maraton de Poesia," improvised classical guitar and alto flute music to the poetry of Rei Berroa, 1995.
o Carroll Community College, Poetry Reading. Completely improvised performance of guitar and flute music for readings by Edgar Silex and other poets, 1995.
o George Mason University, Hispanic Heritage Month, guitar program for reading by contemporary Latin-American and Native-American writers, 1993.
o Poetry Theater, George Mason University. Numerous productions. Classical guitar, alto flute and theremin improvisations to accompany readings of poetry, 1992 to present.
o Edgar Silex, Native-American poet, accompanied Mr. Silex's poetry with improvisations on classical guitar in numerous readings, 1992 to present.
o Hispanic Cultural Society at the Ellipse Arts Center, program of Spanish poetry by Latin-American poets, improvised classical guitar music to poetry, 1992.
o George Mason University, First Prize Winner, Talent Show, 1991.
o George Mason University, solo mixed media program of poetry, dance, sculpture and visual art pieces, combined with completely improvised music on flutes, classical guitar and 12-string guitar, 1988.
ORCHESTRA AND CHAMBER PERFORMANCES:
o Himalayan Institute, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, Indian devotional music ensemble, played alto flute with Sri Laxmi Narayan Tiwari, 1996.
o New Dominion Chorale, Thomas Beveridge, conducting. Performed guitar part in "Misa Criolla," by Ariel Ramirez, 1993.
o McLean Orchestra and George Mason University Orchestra, Colonel Arnald Gabriel, conducting, performed on classical guitar with orchestra, Christmas 1989, Christmas 1992.
o Lincoln Center, New York City. Performance by Mannes Guitar Trio in chamber music program in Library Auditorium, 1972.
o Mannes College of Music, New York City, "Cosi Fan Tutti," by W. A. Mozart, classical guitar part with Mannes orchestra, 1972.
o Juilliard, New York City "Don Pasquale," by, G. Donizetti, classical guitar part with Juilliard Opera orchestra, 1967.
DANCE PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT:
o Arlington Unitarian Dancers and the Unitarian Regional Dance Ensemble, Sandra Kammann, director. Numerous performances, accompanied dancers on flutes and guitars, 1989 to 1991.
o Nina Cohen, dancer and choreographer, concert of Nina's original dance pieces accompanied by classical guitar and alto flute, New York City, 1975.
TELEVISION AND RADIO PERFORMANCES:
o "Mason Report," George Mason University Television, interview of John Giunta with classical guitar compositions and improvisations, 19 April 1993.
o "Mason Moments," George Mason University Television, classical guitar solos, 12 March 1993.
o "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," numerous media appearances on national tour.
o "Camera Three," New York City television, played alto flute for program sound track, 1974.
o WNYC Radio, New York City. "Music on Campus," Mannes College of Music, performed classical guitar pieces, 1972, 1973.
NATIONAL TOUR:
o "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" 1972-1974. Played guitars, flutes, recorder, mandolin.
THEATER PERFORMANCES:
o Pericles, Prince of Tyre by William Shakespeare, George Mason University, performed role of "Gower", the narrator, and composed and performed incidental music live on four instruments, 1990.
o Blood Wedding, by Garcia Lorca, off-Broadway, New York City. Composed and performed original incidental music on classic guitar, 1976.
o Carlos Tolentino, actor, orator, Town Hall, New York City, Spanish Poetry and classical guitar, 1975.
o La Mama Experimental Theater Company, New York City: "Trilogy," Greek plays directed by Liz Swados, performed structured improvisations on flute and mandolin, ten weeks in 1974.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABOUT THE ARTIST AND THE MUSICAL OFFERING
John Peter Giunta is a conservatory-trained musician and performance artist who recognizes and demonstrates the aesthetic relationships of the arts with each other. His programs contain his specialty, classical guitar compositions, and there are other elements as well. He also combines poetry, visual art pieces and movement with his improvisations on guitars, as well as flutes, glass harp and other instruments. With the assistance of electronic instruments, he can combine the sounds of several instruments at once while playing them live. Audience members' occasional participation is integrated into the performances. The musical textures he creates range from classical to new age--and from guided imagery to meditation.
No two of his programs are alike. He is articulate in revealing himself and his artistic ideas during a program. This adds an incomparable spontaneity and unpredictability to the performances. His life experiences as a US Army Paratrooper/Survival Instructor, yoga teacher and veterans employment counselor indicate that this man is complex.
John holds a teaching certificate in Hatha yoga from the Himalayan Institute. He is a certified practitioner of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. He has been a student and practitioner of meditation since 1974. These factors bring an introspective, meditative quality to his improvisational composing. He teaches and provides help for people with performance anxiety. He is a published author in the subjects of yoga and music.
John attended Juilliard and the Mannes College of Music in New York City and holds a Master of Arts Degree in classical guitar performance from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He has over 20 years of performing experience on 6 musical instruments, to include orchestra appearances, a national tour of "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," radio, television, and the stage to include off-Broadway shows, Town Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City.
For more information, contact:
VIENNA WOODS STUDIOS
117 Moore Avenue, S.W.
Vienna, Virginia 22180-5968
(703) 281-5498
SOME PAST COMMENTS ON THE PERFORMANCES
OF
JOHN GIUNTA...
"A performance by John Giunta is an aural and visual treat that invites the audience to explore relationships between the arts and between art and life itself. What sets Giunta's performances apart from most others is the artistic diversity he offers and his engaging manner of casual communication with the audience." DR. MARILOU KRATZENSTEIN, PROFESSOR OF MUSIC, UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA.
"A favorite with our staff and customers, Mr. Giunta's musicianship and audience rapport are of a caliber rarely matched by performers...His repertoire is unique--a blend of classical, jazz and Latin American/Spanish styles with a delightful dose of improvisation." KATHLEEN HALNON, Publicist, Borders Book Shop.
"What I can say about his music is that every note leans to its simple beauty. Every chord he plays makes the air dance, not just in harmony with the words of poetry, but with that requisite dissonance that leaves one hoping for more. John Giunta's music elevates senses which have no language, no means of expression except that of the heartbeat." EDGAR SILEX, Native-American Poet, Author of Even the Dead Have Memories.
"Everyone I spoke with just raved about your music and their enjoyment of the concert...it also fed the souls of so many music lovers." GLENDA DAVIS, Board President, National Science of Mind Center of Washington DC.
"Your excellent performance was enjoyed by all in attendance." JEANE BECKWITT FORREST, President, New Dominion Chorale.
"John has a sensitivity about him that is truly unique and it translates 100% into his art...a modern Renaissance man...it was quite a powerful experience...I was literally mesmerized." BIZ McMAHON, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
"We all agreed he was just incredible." Broadside, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY.
"The music was soothing and peaceful. My admiration is high for a musician who can improvise, and especially one who bases his/her improvisations on input from others, as John did." CAPITAL M,Newsletter of Metropolitan Washington MENSA.
"John Giunta's musical talents have been integral to the success of many performance projects under my direction. His artistry, sensitivity and versatility make him a joy to work with. John is an indispensable asset to my work..." SANDRA KAMMANN, Choreographer and Artistic Director: Sisters of One Eye, Unitarian Regional Dance Ensemble.
"John Giunta's greatest talents are his versatility and his ability to listen. At a reading by six Latin American and North American poets...Mr. Giunta was able to echo perfectly the mood and voice of each individual poet and poem...His accompaniment gave the work the impact that poetry alone could not achieve." DENISE DEVRIES, Poet and Editor of Hispanic Culture Review,Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, George Mason University.
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