Bonnie Black is a versatile cellist and pianist and a passionate leader of aspiring musicians of all ages. She has served as artistic director, conductor, and master teacher for many successful programs, including the Harlem School of the Arts, the Harlem Children’s Orchestra, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, New England Conservatory, and Boston University. Named by Boston Magazine as one of Boston’s 100 most influential women, Ms. Black has devoted much of her life’s work to building powerful programs for youth and communities, helping people young and old use their musical and creative energies to make the world a better place. Her performing ensembles have been presented in Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, and her students have garnered top awards at many regional and national competitions. In addition to running her own successful programs, Ms. Black has been honored to share her years of experience with the next generation of teachers, mentoring and supporting new musical leaders to begin their own programs all over the world.
In her own performing career as a cellist and pianist, Ms. Black has played on stages around the world, appearing in a multitude of roles: chamber musician, guest artist with folk and fiddle bands, concerto soloist, and orchestral player. Following her love of collaborating with musicians from all walks of life, she has played everywhere from Radio City Music Hall and the Aspen Music Festival to Boston’s Club Passim and late-night folk recording sessions at Fishtracks Studio. Favorite projects include playing nightly shows with famed dramatic pianist Liberace, fiddling with the infamous “Electric Shoes” contra dance band, and frequently sharing her music with senior centers, nursing homes, and hospice patients.