Renāte Stivriņa

"It's not just about living forever. The trick is living with yourself forever."

Born in Daugavpils (Latvia). Graduated from Arturs Maskats composition class and Rafi Haradžanjans’ piano class, also Larisa Bulava organ class at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in Riga and received her Bachelor’s Degree in composition (2009).

Within the framework of Erasmus student exchange, she began studies both in Prof. Józef Rychlik’s class and the computer music course of Magdalena Długosz, Krzysztof Knittel and Mateusz Bień in studio SME, directed by prof. Marek Chołoniewski at the Academy of Music in Kraków (Poland). She studied film and computer music at the National Film School in Łódź and the G. and K. Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź, Poland (2009-11).

She has received a number of awards and honourable mentions in composition (Latvia, Italy) organ (Poland, Italy) and piano contests (Latvia, Estonia, Russia).

As an organ performer, she appreciates the music of various eras, with a special interest in contemporary music, especially the work of French organ improvisers. Painting is her special interest, and the subject of her PhD thesis, devoted to the work of Marc Chagall, Joan Miró and Mark Rothko. She has cooperated with the National Latvian Symphony Orchestra, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (Latvia), Leopoldinum Wrocław Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Academy of Music in Kraków (Poland), Latvian Radio Choir, State Choir „Latvia”, „Kamēr...”, „Balsis”, „Maska”, „Sola”, „Daugava”, „Schola Cantorum Riga”, „PaSaulei”, „Vivace” and the vocal ensemble Anima Solla, Duo Accosphere, Trio Tendo, Krulik Quartet.

She is the holder of a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (Poland), and a Vilis and Marta Vītols stipend (Latvia). As of 2009, she is member of the Latvian Composers’ Union. She’s a composer of instrumental and choral music, as well as film and animation scores. She took part in Composition Courses (Ph. Glass, C. Palestine, P. Ablinger, B.Lang, C. Wolff, C. Bauckholt, C. Gadenstätter) as well as Organ Courses (T. Koopman, L. Lohman, G. Gnann, P. Van Dijk, W. Zerer, M. Schmeding, H. J. Kaiser, J. Gembalski, H. Boerema).

She has received awards in many local compositional competitions. As of 2009, she is member of the Latvian Composers’ Union. Compositions performed in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Spain, Australia, Belgia and Uruguay.