ABOUT ABBY
Born with perfect pitch and an immense love of music,
Abigail started playing and singing at age 3.
She spent her early years studying serious classical music on piano,
singing in choirs, and learning to improvise on violin and viola,
~ ~ ~
She then lived in Holland for 25 years where she earned conservatory degrees
in piano performance and choral conducting
(Amsterdam and The Hague)
and built a lucrative career
performing, teaching, conducting, recording and arranging.
~ ~ ~
She returned to the United States in 2005
to live with her jazz pianist husband, Les Horan.
Since then, she has been eagerly soaking in the influences of Jazz, Blues and Gospel,
which are beginning to seep into her performances.
~ ~ ~
In addition to her performing her show, "Heart's Journeys"
Abigail has worked as musical director and conductor for several choirs
in the New York City area
- including The Peace of Heart Choir, and the Sephardic Community Center -
and works in her own Upper West Side studio
teaching, conducting, composing and arranging.
~ ~ ~
When you experience one of her concerts,
you're liable to hear her come out of a soulful version
of a Bach fugue, or a Beethoven Sonata or a Chopin Prelude,
right into singing a driving Blues piece by Bonnie Raitt,
Following it with something by Sting, The Beatles or Thelonius Monk.
She alternates these with a generous sprinkling of
her own uniquely original songs
and a style she discovered which she calls "vocalantics",
consisting of a structured voice jam with the audience.
~ ~ ~
It doesn't take long for any audience to get swept up
in Abigail's charismatic performing
and what her husband, Les, calls her "loving, musical hug!"
Born with perfect pitch and an immense love of music,
Abigail started playing and singing at age 3.
She spent her early years studying serious classical music on piano,
singing in choirs, and learning to improvise on violin and viola,
~ ~ ~
She then lived in Holland for 25 years where she earned conservatory degrees
in piano performance and choral conducting
(Amsterdam and The Hague)
and built a lucrative career
performing, teaching, conducting, recording and arranging.
~ ~ ~
She returned to the United States in 2005
to live with her jazz pianist husband, Les Horan.
Since then, she has been eagerly soaking in the influences of Jazz, Blues and Gospel,
which are beginning to seep into her performances.
~ ~ ~
In addition to her performing her show, "Heart's Journeys"
Abigail has worked as musical director and conductor for several choirs
in the New York City area
- including The Peace of Heart Choir, and the Sephardic Community Center -
and works in her own Upper West Side studio
teaching, conducting, composing and arranging.
~ ~ ~
When you experience one of her concerts,
you're liable to hear her come out of a soulful version
of a Bach fugue, or a Beethoven Sonata or a Chopin Prelude,
right into singing a driving Blues piece by Bonnie Raitt,
Following it with something by Sting, The Beatles or Thelonius Monk.
She alternates these with a generous sprinkling of
her own uniquely original songs
and a style she discovered which she calls "vocalantics",
consisting of a structured voice jam with the audience.
~ ~ ~
It doesn't take long for any audience to get swept up
in Abigail's charismatic performing
and what her husband, Les, calls her "loving, musical hug!"
RESUME
SUMMARY
Highly skilled musician with diverse experience
as concert artist, teacher, conductor, songwriter, recording artist and arranger.
~ PIANO, VOICE, VIOLIN and VIOLA ~
PERFORMANCES
2006 ~ present: private interactive concerts, New York and New Jersey, US
December, 2007: interactive concert, “HEART’S JOURNEYS “,
together with the singer Heidi Siegell at Don’t Tell Mama,
New York City, U.S.
November, 2006: interactive concert, " HEART'S JOURNEYS "
at the Theatre, De Griffioen, Amstelveen, Holland.
November, 2005: assembly interactive concert for 6th and 7th graders
at a Manhattan public school, New York, US.
September, 2005: Premiere of her one ~ woman show,
" HEART'S JOURNEYS " in Symphony Space, New York, NY.
www.cdbaby.com/abigaillumsden for CD music and concert review.
2003 – present: Creating, producing and performing “Heart’s Journeys” – piano, vocals and video.
Touring performances, Holland and U.S.
1980 – present: Arranging and recording background vocals, piano and violin on a free lance basis,
in audio/video studios. Holland and U.S.
2002 – 2004: Played stage violin for singer/songwriter Patty Trossel.
Touring performances, Holland.
1992 – 2004: Played piano, sang and arranged for the orchestras “Fantastique” and “Wiener Melange”
led by Charlotte Bon. Touring performances and high society functions, Belgium and Holland.
2002 – 2003: Played piano accompaniment for the musical production “Hippies”.
Touring performances, Holland.
2000 – 2001: Played piano in the orchestra of the dance/music production “The Snowman”.
Performances, Haarlem, Holland.
1998 – 2000: Played piano, sang, danced and acted in the music production
“Kwaaie Moeders” (“Mischievous Mothers”).
Touring performances, Holland.
1992 – 1998: Played piano accompaniment for the singers/actors group “Friends in Music”.
Opera, operetta and musical excerpts.
Touring performances, Holland.
1975 – 1983: Played, sang, composed, recorded and arranged for the folk/rock trio “Great Djeli”.
Touring performances, U.S., France, England and Holland.
1974-1975: Played violin in the pit orchestra of the musical production “Mame”.
Performances, Los Angeles, U.S.
CONDUCTING, ARRANGING,
DIRECTING and ACCOMPANYING
2008 ~ music directed the Off ~ Broadway Production of
The Me Nobody Knows, New York City, U.S.
2006 ~ present: Worked as music director, vocal coach and arranger
with the Sephardic Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Community Center.
Brooklyn and New Jersey, U.S.
2004 - 2006: Worked as music director, together with Les Horan and the artistic director Jody Prusan,
at the Minisink Day Camp Power Academy. Harlem, New York, US.
2004 – present: Conducting and arranging for the non-profit community service choir
Peace of Heart Choir Touring performances, New York City, U.S.
2002 – 2004: Conducted the a cappella choir “Dakkapella”, all genres.
Touring performances, Holland.
2001 - 2004: Founded, conducted and arranged for the International Schools Orchestra (ages 9 – 18).
Performances, The Hague, Holland.
1999 – 2004: Assisted the conductor, Sam ten Velden, and accompanied the choir “Pro Musica”,
specializing in popular arrangements and classical choral music.
Touring performances, Holland.
1993 – 2004: Founded, conducted and arranged for the pop choir “Early Birds”,
based on beginning singing/music education.
Performances, Lisse, Holland.
1988 – 2004: Assisted the conductor, Sam ten Velden,
and accompanied the VU-koor (Free University Choir, Amsterdam),
specializing in 20th and 21st century classical repertoire, including premiers of several new works.
Touring performances, Holland.
2001 – 2003: Conducted and arranged for the ethnic/folk choir “Doenja”.
Touring performances, Holland.
1997 – 2003: Conducted Catholic services with diverse children’s and women’s choirs,
specializing in Latin liturgy. Lisse, Holland.
1991 – 2002: Founded, conducted and arranged for the pop choir “Crystal Singers”,
television and live premiers.
Touring performances, Holland.
1996 – 1998: Conducted and arranged for the jazz/pop choir “Haarlem Nocturne”.
Touring performances, Holland
1992 – 1995: Conducted the chamber choir “Audite”, classical choral repertoire.
Touring performances, Holland.
1969 – 1970: Accompanied elementary school choir at age 12. Santa Monica, U.S.
TEACHING
1986 - present: Teaching preparatory music theory for conservatory entrance exams.
Holland and U.S.
1980 – present: Teaching, privately and in groups, children and adults of all ages and children with special needs,
piano, voice, violin and chamber music, classical and popular styles.
Holland and U.S.
2002 – 2004: Coached and performed with the vocal ensemble “Decibelle”, adults, classical and popular.
The Hague, Holland.
2000 – 2001: Coached and performed with middle school actors/singers (ages 12-19)
in the production “House on the Hill”.
Almere, Holland.
1994 – 1998: Coached and performed with the classical vocal ensemble “Quasi Quartetto”.
Hoofddorp, Holland.
1992 – 1996: Taught piano, children’s and adult’s choirs at the music school “Muzenhuis”.
Haarlem, Holland.
1983 – 1987: Taught piano and children’s choir at the Noordwijk music school.
Noordwijk, Holland.
EDUCATION
1990 – 1994: Graduated in choir conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music,
The Hague, Holland. Master of Music.
1989: Completed intensive training course in orchestra conducting
at Aspen, Colorado Music Festival. U.S.
1983 – 1988: Graduated Cum Laude in piano at Sweelinck Conservatory.
Amsterdam, Holland. Master of Music.
1972 – 1975: Graduated from Santa Monica High School,
concertmistress of the school’s symphony orchestra and main accompanist.
Santa Monica, U.S.
1969 – 1972: Completed Lincoln Junior High School,
principal violist and concertmistress of the school’s symphony orchestra and main accompanist.
Santa Monica, U.S.
1963 to present: Private instruction in both Holland and U.S,
piano, voice and violin.
Teachers include: Hans Dercksen, Sam ten Velden, Jan Boogaarts and Katie Agresta.
Recommendations are available upon request
SUMMARY
Highly skilled musician with diverse experience
as concert artist, teacher, conductor, songwriter, recording artist and arranger.
~ PIANO, VOICE, VIOLIN and VIOLA ~
PERFORMANCES
2006 ~ present: private interactive concerts, New York and New Jersey, US
December, 2007: interactive concert, “HEART’S JOURNEYS “,
together with the singer Heidi Siegell at Don’t Tell Mama,
New York City, U.S.
November, 2006: interactive concert, " HEART'S JOURNEYS "
at the Theatre, De Griffioen, Amstelveen, Holland.
November, 2005: assembly interactive concert for 6th and 7th graders
at a Manhattan public school, New York, US.
September, 2005: Premiere of her one ~ woman show,
" HEART'S JOURNEYS " in Symphony Space, New York, NY.
www.cdbaby.com/abigaillumsden for CD music and concert review.
2003 – present: Creating, producing and performing “Heart’s Journeys” – piano, vocals and video.
Touring performances, Holland and U.S.
1980 – present: Arranging and recording background vocals, piano and violin on a free lance basis,
in audio/video studios. Holland and U.S.
2002 – 2004: Played stage violin for singer/songwriter Patty Trossel.
Touring performances, Holland.
1992 – 2004: Played piano, sang and arranged for the orchestras “Fantastique” and “Wiener Melange”
led by Charlotte Bon. Touring performances and high society functions, Belgium and Holland.
2002 – 2003: Played piano accompaniment for the musical production “Hippies”.
Touring performances, Holland.
2000 – 2001: Played piano in the orchestra of the dance/music production “The Snowman”.
Performances, Haarlem, Holland.
1998 – 2000: Played piano, sang, danced and acted in the music production
“Kwaaie Moeders” (“Mischievous Mothers”).
Touring performances, Holland.
1992 – 1998: Played piano accompaniment for the singers/actors group “Friends in Music”.
Opera, operetta and musical excerpts.
Touring performances, Holland.
1975 – 1983: Played, sang, composed, recorded and arranged for the folk/rock trio “Great Djeli”.
Touring performances, U.S., France, England and Holland.
1974-1975: Played violin in the pit orchestra of the musical production “Mame”.
Performances, Los Angeles, U.S.
CONDUCTING, ARRANGING,
DIRECTING and ACCOMPANYING
2008 ~ music directed the Off ~ Broadway Production of
The Me Nobody Knows, New York City, U.S.
2006 ~ present: Worked as music director, vocal coach and arranger
with the Sephardic Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Community Center.
Brooklyn and New Jersey, U.S.
2004 - 2006: Worked as music director, together with Les Horan and the artistic director Jody Prusan,
at the Minisink Day Camp Power Academy. Harlem, New York, US.
2004 – present: Conducting and arranging for the non-profit community service choir
Peace of Heart Choir Touring performances, New York City, U.S.
2002 – 2004: Conducted the a cappella choir “Dakkapella”, all genres.
Touring performances, Holland.
2001 - 2004: Founded, conducted and arranged for the International Schools Orchestra (ages 9 – 18).
Performances, The Hague, Holland.
1999 – 2004: Assisted the conductor, Sam ten Velden, and accompanied the choir “Pro Musica”,
specializing in popular arrangements and classical choral music.
Touring performances, Holland.
1993 – 2004: Founded, conducted and arranged for the pop choir “Early Birds”,
based on beginning singing/music education.
Performances, Lisse, Holland.
1988 – 2004: Assisted the conductor, Sam ten Velden,
and accompanied the VU-koor (Free University Choir, Amsterdam),
specializing in 20th and 21st century classical repertoire, including premiers of several new works.
Touring performances, Holland.
2001 – 2003: Conducted and arranged for the ethnic/folk choir “Doenja”.
Touring performances, Holland.
1997 – 2003: Conducted Catholic services with diverse children’s and women’s choirs,
specializing in Latin liturgy. Lisse, Holland.
1991 – 2002: Founded, conducted and arranged for the pop choir “Crystal Singers”,
television and live premiers.
Touring performances, Holland.
1996 – 1998: Conducted and arranged for the jazz/pop choir “Haarlem Nocturne”.
Touring performances, Holland
1992 – 1995: Conducted the chamber choir “Audite”, classical choral repertoire.
Touring performances, Holland.
1969 – 1970: Accompanied elementary school choir at age 12. Santa Monica, U.S.
TEACHING
1986 - present: Teaching preparatory music theory for conservatory entrance exams.
Holland and U.S.
1980 – present: Teaching, privately and in groups, children and adults of all ages and children with special needs,
piano, voice, violin and chamber music, classical and popular styles.
Holland and U.S.
2002 – 2004: Coached and performed with the vocal ensemble “Decibelle”, adults, classical and popular.
The Hague, Holland.
2000 – 2001: Coached and performed with middle school actors/singers (ages 12-19)
in the production “House on the Hill”.
Almere, Holland.
1994 – 1998: Coached and performed with the classical vocal ensemble “Quasi Quartetto”.
Hoofddorp, Holland.
1992 – 1996: Taught piano, children’s and adult’s choirs at the music school “Muzenhuis”.
Haarlem, Holland.
1983 – 1987: Taught piano and children’s choir at the Noordwijk music school.
Noordwijk, Holland.
EDUCATION
1990 – 1994: Graduated in choir conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music,
The Hague, Holland. Master of Music.
1989: Completed intensive training course in orchestra conducting
at Aspen, Colorado Music Festival. U.S.
1983 – 1988: Graduated Cum Laude in piano at Sweelinck Conservatory.
Amsterdam, Holland. Master of Music.
1972 – 1975: Graduated from Santa Monica High School,
concertmistress of the school’s symphony orchestra and main accompanist.
Santa Monica, U.S.
1969 – 1972: Completed Lincoln Junior High School,
principal violist and concertmistress of the school’s symphony orchestra and main accompanist.
Santa Monica, U.S.
1963 to present: Private instruction in both Holland and U.S,
piano, voice and violin.
Teachers include: Hans Dercksen, Sam ten Velden, Jan Boogaarts and Katie Agresta.
Recommendations are available upon request