Andrew Violette (1953-2021) studied at the High School of Music and Art in New York City from 1968 to 1971. He studied composition with Elliott Carter and Roger Sessions and counterpoint with Otto Luening at the Juilliard School of Music in New York from 1971 to 1975, where he earned his B.Mus. and M.Mus., as well as the Lado Prize in Composition. He has composed music for orchestra – including Dawn (1988), Fanfare (1992), and Music In 6 Parts (2000) – as well as chamber music, vocal music, piano solos, and organ solos.
His works have been performed throughout the U.S. Among his honors are seven grants from Meet the Composer (1977, 1982-1987), three fellowships at MacDowell (1983-1985), and fellowships at Yaddo and the Virginia Center for the Arts (both 1999). As a pianist, Violette gave numerous solo recitals of his own music, as well as new pieces by other composers. He worked as an accompanist to dance classes for Robert Blanshine, Nanette Cherrise, Merce Cunningham, and Janet Panetta in New York City throughout the 1980s.
Portrait by Barbara Nitke
