“Magical, passionate and virtuosic exploration of ethnic song and extended technique.”
Kitty Brazelton, REAL MUSIC

“Sumptuous vocalizing, a style we associate with Meredith Monk.”
Linda Belans, THE NEWS & OBSERVER

“The composer dominated her instrumental ensemble, drawing weird sounds from her cello and singing forcefully.”
Ross, NY TIMES

“She plucks, bows and sometimes sings in a strange language of her own. There’s a freshness to this work.”
 Suzanne Sloat, ATTITUDE MAGAZINE

“The public was enchanted, demanding an encore!”
Cesar Delgado Martinez, EXCELSIOR

“…her voice produces chants, strongly reminiscent of medieval song, bringing to mind the Australian duet, Dead Can Dance, only more daring!”
New Music Across America, MUSICALES VISUALES

“Avery, who has an extensive background in contemporary music of all genres, was indefatigable in drawing out a colorful menagerie of sounds. Like Tanya Anisimova and Maya Beiser, she is able to sing and play cello simultaneously and keened to great effect in several of the pieces. Like Matt Haimovitz, she channeled Jimi Hendrix when imitating distorted-feedback, electric guitar rendition of the national anthem…”
Robert Battley, THE WASHINGTON POST

Short Bio:

Rarely are performers as at home at Lincoln Center as they are in a sweat lodge. Mohawk composer, cellist, vocalist, educator and Grammy-nominated performer Dawn Avery is equally comfortable with either. She’s sung and played with musical luminaries from Luciano Pavarotti to Sting, as well as R.C. Nakai, Shenandoah, Cale and Cage. 

Performing contemporary Mohawk music with her group OKENTI in Europe, Lincoln and Kennedy Centers, and the National Museum of the American Indian. She’s  “like Dead Can Dance, only more daring…” Her new OKENTI CD with haunting, true to life lyrics coming out soon with Larry Mitchell, producer.

Dawn composes, commissions and tours with her North American Indian Cello Project.  She is on the faculty of Montgomery College where she is a professor of music and produces an annual World Arts Festival.  As a composer, she has won numerous awards for film, chamber and solo works.