On this episode of Soul Stories, Dr Randall has an inspiring conversation with Monique Mead.
A lifelong ambassador for classical music, violinist Monique Mead enjoys a rich career as a performer, educator, and innovator. Inspired and mentored by Leonard Bernstein, Mead has devoted her performing career to nurturing new audiences and deepening the musical experience for seasoned concertgoers. Her programs span performances with major orchestras and festivals throughout the United States
and Europe. She has also drawn international acclaim for her popular appeal and innovative approach Interweaving live music with audience engagement at the highest level.
Her programs have reached millions through television appearances, a six-year radio series with the Munich Radio Orchestra, and over 20 years of concerts with the Cologne Philharmonic, Munich Symphony,
Düsseldorf Symphony, Berlin Radio Orchestra, RIAS Chamber Choir, Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, San Diego Symphony, and the Mainly Mozart Festival, among others.
Since 2012, Monique has served as Director of Music Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, where she launches community initiatives and teaches courses that enable students to thrive as a musician in today’s world.
With a deep interest in music for healing, Monique regularly performs stress-relieving programs for cancer patients, hospital staff, and people suffering from anxiety and depression. In honor of Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebration, Monique launched “Beethoven in the Face of Adversity,” a community engagement program for which she performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto 50 times in 250 days for people suffering from adversities of all kinds.
As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed with the Mexico State Symphony, Krakow Symphony, Philharmonia Hungarica, Philharmonie der Nationen, and at many music festivals, including; Orcas Island, Rockport, Maui, Mainly Mozart, and Schleswig-Holstein. From 2000-2008 she was co-Director of the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, CO and now serves as Artistic Director of the Rancho la Puerta Chamber Music Festival in Tecate, Mexico. She is also a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Board and is Founding Director of Olympic Strings Camp, a summer program for high school students.
Monique performs on a 1860 Vuillaume violin. She enjoys performing chamber music with her children on harp and piano. She is a lover of nature, yoga, and home-grown cuisine.
An episode not to be missed!