Mela Meierhans

Mela Meierhans *1961 (CH). Lives in Berlin and Buckow/Brandenburg.

She received important artistic impulses during childhood from her parents (contemporary music and abstract painting). Main fields of creative interest: complexity and open-mindedness, interdis-ciplinary collaboration, development of interactive musical scores in the areas of music, dance, film, performance, theater, installation and architecture.

Since 2003 main focus on musical theater / music in public space. Since 2006 work on „The Afterlife Trilogy“ about death and mourning rituals: 2006 world premiere of Part I „Aunt Hänsi“, 2010 Part II, „Rithaa“, 2014 Part III, „Shiva for Anne“.

1998 – 2000 Guest Composer at the Electronic Studio of the Basle Music Academy. Various awards, among others by the cities of Lucerne, Zug, Basel and Berlin.
2000 Composer in Residence at Basle Sinfonietta.
2008 Artist in Residence in Cairo, Egypt.

1998-2014 compositions commissioned by: MaerzMusik Berlin, Theaterfabrik Gera, Staatsoper Hannover, Lucerne Festival, Festival del Centro Histórico de Mexico City, Pro Helvetia, Experimentale Leipzig, Gare du Nord Basle, Berliner Kompositionsaufträge, Symphony Orchestra Basle, The Roosevelt Ensemble Washington, Basle Sinfonietta, Migros-Kulturprozent, Klangwerkstatt Berlin, Tage für Live Elektronik Basle, among others.
Audio Design for Swiss broadcast DRS 2 as well as for Pro Helvetia.

2006 foundation of ensemble dialogue, a coalition of musicians who play classical as well as traditional folk music instruments and have a background in improvisation.

Awards/Grants/Residencies

1989-2012 various grants by Pro Helvetia
2010 Bundeskulturstiftung Germany, grant for Rithaa
2008 Artist-in-residence, Cairo/Egypt
2005 Berliner Kompositionsauftrag (composition commission by the city of Berlin)
2001 Composer-of-the Week at „Europäischen Musikmonat 2001” in Basle
2001 Recognition Award by the city of Lucerne
2000/01 Composer-in-residence at „basel sinfonietta”
1999 3rd award at Glasmusikfestival Frauenau for „Canthus to Canthus”
1998 1st award Klassik-Signete of Swiss Radio DRS
1997 Advancement Award of the canton of Zug
1993 Award for composition by the city and canton of Lucerne
1990 Grant for composition by the city and canton of Lucerne