Background
Speach, Bernadette Marie was born on January 1, 1948 in Syracuse, New York, United States. Daughter of Anthony John and Viola Catherine (Bellardini) Speach.
Speach, Bernadette Marie was born on January 1, 1948 in Syracuse, New York, United States. Daughter of Anthony John and Viola Catherine (Bellardini) Speach.
Bachelor of Science in Music Education, College of St. Rose, Albany, 1971. Master of Arts in Music Composition, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1980. Doctor of Philosophy in Music Composition, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1983.
Speach was a nun at Street Joseph of Corondelet from 1966 to 1977, teaching music in parochial schools during that time. After 1977 she left the sisterhood and acquired a Doctor of Philosophy at State University of New York Buffalo, studying under Morton Feldman and Lejaren Hiller. She served as director of Composers Forum from 1988 to 1990 and president of their board from 1990 to 1994.
In 1995 she became director of The Kitchen.
She is the president of the Buffalo New Music Ensemble. Her music reflects a strong influence from Morton Feldman, but also is significantly influenced by jazz, including liberal use of improvisation.
Member BMI, American Composers Forum (museum commission 1992), American Music Center (board directors, trustee since 1996).
Married Jeffrey Steven Schanzer, May 20, 1984.