Biography
Meredith Jane Monk (born November 20, 1942) is an American composer, performer, director, vocalist, filmmaker, and choreographer. From the 1960s onwards, Monk has created multi-disciplinary works which combine music, theatre, and dance, recording extensively for ECM Records.[1] In 1991, Monk composed Atlas, an opera, commissioned and produced by the Houston Opera and the American Music Theater Festival. Her music has been used in films by the Coen Brothers (The Big Lebowski, 1998) and Jean-Luc Godard (Nouvelle Vague, 1990 and Notre musique, 2004). Trip hop musician DJ Shadow sampled Monk's "Dolmen Music" on the song "Midnight in a Perfect World". In 2015, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Barack Obama.
Acted in 9
2010s
- 2019
Songs of Ascension
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Book of Days
Madwoman
- 1987
Uncle Meat
Red Face Girl
- 1983
Turtle Dreams
Movie
- 1982
Paris
Paris Couple
- 1980
Making Dances: Seven Post-Modern Choreographers
Movie
1970s
- 1978
Quarry
Child
- 1974
A portrait of Meredith Monk
Movie
1960s
- 1966
Water Light/Water Needle (Lake Mah Wah, NJ)
Movie
Directed 14
2020s
- 2021
Offering Shrine
Director
Rotation
Director
2010s
- 2019
Songs of Ascension
Director
- 2018
Hand Mandala
Director
- 2016
Hand Reflection
Director
1990s
- 1994
Faces
Director
1980s
- 1989
Book of Days
Director
- 1987
Turtle Dreams
Director
- 1982
Paris
Director
1970s
- 1979
Ellis Island
Director
- 1978
Quarry
Director
- 1975
Quarry
Director
1960s
- 1967
Children
Director
- 1966
16 Millimeter Earrings
Director
Sound 13
2020s
- 2023
Evolver
Music
2010s
- 2019
Songs of Ascension
Music
- 2013
Meredith Monk: Solo Concert 1980
Music
2000s
- 2009
Trees' Migration
Music
A Horse Is Not a Metaphor
Original Music Composer
- 2004
Notre Musique
Music
1990s
- 1998
Uhri - elokuva metsästä
Original Music Composer
1980s
- 1989
Book of Days
Music
- 1988
Pearls
Music
- 1983
Turtle Dreams
Original Music Composer
- 1982
Paris
Music
1970s
- 1979
16 Millimeter Earrings
Original Music Composer
- 1978
Quarry
Original Music Composer
Other crew 5
2020s
- 2021
Rotation
Choreographer
1980s
- 1983
Turtle Dreams
Creator, Choreographer
1970s
- 1979
Ellis Island
Choreographer
16 Millimeter Earrings
Choreographer, Creator
- 1978
Quarry
Choreographer
Wrote 3
1980s
- 1989
Book of Days
Screenplay
- 1983
Turtle Dreams
Scenario Writer
1970s
- 1978
Quarry
Writer
Edited 1
2010s
- 2013
Meredith Monk: Solo Concert 1980
Editor
Appearances7
2020s
- 2025
Monk in Pieces
Self
2010s
- 2018
- 2013
Meredith Monk: Solo Concert 1980
Herself
2000s
- 2001
Merce Cunningham: A Lifetime of Dance
Self
1990s
- 1993
The Sensual Nature of Sound: 4 Composers Laurie Anderson, Tania Leon, Meredith Monk, Pauline Oliveros
Herself
1980s
- 1983
Four American Composers: Meredith Monk
Herself
1970s
- 1979
16 Millimeter Earrings
Herself