MICHAEL ANDREW COONEY, of Fairfield, CT, received his Master of Music degree (M.Mus) and Bachelor of Music degree (B.Mus) in piano performance from the University of Connecticut, as a student of Dr. Neal Larrabee. He also studied jazz piano and theory with Ellen Rowe and Dave Santoro. Mr. Cooney has performed as soloist with the University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble, Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Harkness Summer Music Festival Orchestra and the Meriden Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in master classes with artists such as Steven Osborne, Harold Danko, Dr. Billy Taylor, Awadagin Pratt, and Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet.
In addition to his performing, Mr. Cooney studied composition with Dr. Avo Somer. The Faculty Arts Trio of the University of Connecticut premiered his piano trio entitled “Velvet Trio, Op. 5” which was written after a visit to Prague, Czech Republic, in 2000. He was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Dartington International Summer School in Devon, England, to study composition with Kurt Schwertsik of the Vienna Conservatory. During his residence at the school, he composed a work for cello and piano, “Op. 6” which was premiered by members of the Viennese 20th century Ensemble. His most recent compositions include a setting of 5 Emily Dickinson poems for voice and piano, and a mass setting entitled Mass of the Assumption which is dedicated to the parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption. He is the recipient of the ASCAP plus award for his contributions to American Music in 2011.
Mr. Cooney is also involved with music for film and media. Most recently, he composed the original motion picture soundtrack for the films, Honorable Retribution, Old Days, A-1 Quality Entertainment, and an original song for the movie Going Home which was entered into the Sundance Film Festival.
He is an adjunct Professor of Music at Fairfield University, in the department of Visual and Performing Arts.
He is a member of various societies, including: Pi Kappa Lambda (national music honor society); the American Guild of Organists (AGO); the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) as both composer and publisher, and the Society of Composers & Lyricists.
He lives with his wife, Colleen, and their four children.
His website is www.cooneystudio.com
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