Mari Esabel Valverde is an award-winning composer and singer in steady demand across the United States and Canada. Based in North Texas, she sings in multiple professional ensembles and teaches singing and transgender voice training with Your Lessons Now. She holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

A conversation with Mari Esabel Valverde:

SPM: What inspired you to write "Still wie die Nacht?"

MV: When I was a student at St. Olaf, the American Boychoir came by on their tour, and I heard them sing a choral version of Carl Bohm’s Lieder. I admired the words and had the fortune to have choir friends sing my original setting of the text as one of the choral works in my senior composition recital.

SPM: What’s the one thing you’d like an audience member to take away after hearing this piece?

MV: "Still wie die Nacht" is a dramatic work, certainly compared to my recent compositions. It is not performed often, perhaps because of how demanding it is to sing. The true moment of climax is quiet and introspective yet still full of enchantment. So, listen for that part.

SPM: What excites you about being included in this concert?

MV: I’m always excited to have music performed in Seattle, which is my very favorite city in the United States. Wish I could live there! Mostly, I’m grateful for the time and energy the singers put into my music. I think my music is really starting to get "out there," and I am so fortunate to have communities like yours asking for it.

Website: marivalverde.com