Griselle Báez-Muñoz

Background

Báez-Muñoz, Griselle was born on May 9, 1959 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Daughter of Leonardo Báez-Barbosa and Maria (Justina) Muñoz-Gil De LaMadrid.

Education

Attended Middle and High school at "Escuela Libre de Musica," Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Studied Piano, Piano-Accordion and the Puerto Rican "Cuatro" (1970-1976); Bachelor in Music Education, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, PR, 1982; Bachelor in Music, Piano, Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, Hato Rey, PR, 1983; Master of Arts at the Community Arts Management Program, Sangamon State University, Springfield, IL, 1985.

Career

Coordinator, Artist in Residence Program, Springboard Area Arts Council, Springfield, Illinois, 1983-1984; Coordinator, Visual Arts Exhibit, Springfield Department of Education, 1984; Arts Management Fellow, Office of Special Constituencies, National Endowment for Arts (NEA), Washington DC, Fall 1984;; Researcher, Arts Criticism research project, National Endowment for Arts (NEA), Washington DC, Spring 1985; Sub-director, Office of External Resources, Institute P.R. Culture, San Juan, 1985-1990; Speaker at numerous seminars and training session on Arts Administration best practices, while at Institute PR Culture,1985-1990.; General Director, Corporation of the P.R. Symphony Orchestra, Santurce, Puerto Rico,1990-1992; Consultant, Fondo Nacional para el Financiamiento del Quehacer Cultural,San Juan,Puerto RIco,1992-1993; Various administrative positions (Sr.Proposal Mgr, Contract Mgr, Assist Dir Sponsored Prgs, Post Award Financial Specialist III, while working at Office of Research (OR), University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 1994 through Retirement_Oct 2023.

Achievements

• Griselle Báez-Muñoz: a) was listed as a noteworthy performing arts executive by Marquis Who's Who in America (47th Edition) (1991-1992) Volume 1 A-K; b) Is the composer of the official Hymn of the University of Puerto Rico-in Ponce (1983); c) won 3rd prize on the Danza Composition Contest sponsored by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture with Danza "MARIA JUSTINA." (1982);d) Two of her compositions (danzas "Maria Justina" and "Sandra") were approved by the Piano Department Chair of the CMPR to be performed on her piano recital, as they were determined to meet established recital criteria to be considered contemporary music; e) As a musician/accordionist, was invited to travel with "Guateque, Ballet Folklorico de Puerto Rico," to several international folkloric dance festivals held in Italy/Sicily, Switzerland, France, Mexico City, Cancun and Cozumel, in addition to NYC and at cities in Puerto Rico (1987-1989); f) As a musician/accordionist, was invited to participate in the recording of a limited edition CD called "Marunguey, Al Son del Manglar." The recording was produced approx in 1993 by Ms. Zora Moreno and has been recognized by the Library of Congress for its meaningful intent, quality and accurate expression of the Puerto Rican folkloric musical culture; g) Under her leadership, the Corporation of the PR Symphony Orchestra successfully planned, coordinated and sponsored the 1st Congress of General Directors of Symphony Orchestra from Iberoamerica; h)While working at the Office of Research (OR) at University of Central Florida Orlando, FL, supported a required participation of the Office's staff withfor event "Relay for Life" (a special fundraising effort annually held at UCF's grounds, sponsored by UCF for employees, students, faculty and the UCF community, to support and honor Breast Cancer patients. A special song titled "Relay for Life" was composed by Griselle, and was performed and sang by selected OR's staff members, who were identified as musicians (flute, minor percussion, electric bass, accordion, plus a chorus). A simple arrangement of the song was made by Griselle, and the lyrics were co-authored by Griselle and her son Martin J. Pagan-Báez; i) A variable collection of original danzas have been composed by Griselle, including among others, danza "Guateque" dedicated to a puertorican dance company carrying the name, and danza "Tu Guitarra Eres Tu" (Your Guitar is You), who was dedicated to an extraordinary puertorican guitarrist, Mr. Israel "Chago" Montes†, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and composer of the well-known plena "La Plena de San Anton." Griselle had the opportunity and the honor to perform with "Chago" (duet of guitar and accordion) including presentations at a local radio station and at the "Sociedad Cubana de Orlando," Orlando, FL.; Danza "Tu Voz Divina" (Your Divine Voice) (and its lyrics) was dedicated to her sister Magda Baez-Munoz, soprano spinto -dramatica, honoring her efforts, her beautiful and talented voice, and winner of 1st prize at the Metropolitan Opera House (MET) district auditions held in Puerto Rico, as well as 1st prize winner at the MET's regional auditions held in New Orleans, USA, 1982.; i) Griselle continued to perform her beloved accordion and piano throughout the years after relocating to Florida. She has been invited to play accordion in several Diversity celebrations sponsored by the US Army jointly with the US NAVY (via NACWTSD) with facilities in Orlando, FL. She has received Certificate of Appreciation for her participations on those venues, as well as performing at private engagements and participating at a long sequence of Diversity celebrations held at the UCF's Office of Research, where she played a lead role on the planning committee for several years. In addition, her compositions include a Triduo of villancicos, few boleros, polka and plena; j) Griselle also enjoys writing poems (in spanish), which she has stored throughout her life. However, an opportunity to write a poem in english surfaced years ago, in response to a public invitation circulated by the International Library of Poetry (Poetry.com), on a magazine, and her poem titled "As Life Goes On" was selected for publication in 2003. Such poem received the Editor's Choice Award.; k) Early January 2025, Griselle became an active member of the Central Florida Accordion Club (CFAC). In that capacity, she has been introducing the audience to a diversed repertoire, primarily based on puertorican music (i.e. danzas, romantic boleros, guarachas, plenas, waltzes,criollas), as well as other types of selected international accordion music from other hispanic countries such as "romantic boleros and "danzones" from Cuba; "Tangos" from Argentina; "Bossa Novas" from Brazil; "Pasodobles" from Spain; and has engaged in learning waltzes and polkas to enrich and expand her accordion repertoire.

Membership

Current: Accordionist/Member of the Central Florida Accordion Club, Orlando, FL .(Jan 2025--)

Previous/Inactive: Vice President, Sports Association Valle Arriba Heights, Carolina, Puerto Rico, 1981-1982; Member, American Symphony Orchestra League (1990-1992); Member, Association Pro Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (Individual Sponsor's Program, 1991); Member: Society of Research Administrators International (SRA); Member: National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)

Interests

• Accordion and Piano playing; Music Composition; Poetry writing; Wood and Ceramic crafting; Gardening.

Connections

José Luis Pagán-Agosto (Spouse@ 8/1993__B: 2-24-55) // Martin J. Pagán-Báez (Son_B: 7/1994--- )

Father:

Leonardo Báez-Barbosa

Mother:

Maria (Justina) Muñoz-Gil De Lamadrid

Brothers and sisters:

Ivan Báez-Muñoz (Brother_B: 9-5-60); Magda Báez-Muñoz -AKA-Magda Baque (Sister_B: 7-27-61); Igor Báez-Muñoz (Brother: 3-12-68) & Lourdes Báez-Muñoz (Luly)_(B: 8-11-69)

References

• Who's Who in America, 1992-1993, 47th Edition,Volume 1 A-K See Page 142 (Left Column) MARQUIS Who's Who A Reed Reference Publishing Company 121 Chanlon Road New Providence, New Jersey 07974 U.S.A
  1992
• Diccionario Biográfico de Compositores Puertorriqueños See Pgs 21-22 Author: Cirilo Toro-Vargas Address: Ediciones Guayácan P.O. Box 32111 Ponce, Puerto Rico 00732-2111
  2003