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Monica Yunus

Soprano and Co-Founder of Sing for Hope

Monica Yunus is a multifaceted artist, educator, and social entrepreneur who serves as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University. Here are key details about her:

Professional Background

Monica Yunus is an internationally renowned soprano who has performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages.1 She was a principal artist with The Metropolitan Opera for over a decade, becoming the first leading artist from her native Bangladesh to do so.2 Her operatic repertoire includes roles in productions like L'Elisir d'Amore, Die Zauberflöte, Manon, and The Marriage of Figaro.2

Academic Role

At Carnegie Mellon University, Monica Yunus holds the position of Artist Lecturer.14 She has been on the faculty since January 2018.3 In this role, she teaches a course called "Artist as Entrepreneur".5

Social Entrepreneurship

In 2006, Monica co-founded Sing for Hope, a non-profit organization that brings arts outreach programs to communities in need.12 As Co-Executive Director, she leads initiatives that make the arts accessible to all, including projects in hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and public spaces.3

Education

Monica Yunus received both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Voice and Opera from The Juilliard School.23

Awards and Recognition

Her contributions to arts and social causes have earned her several accolades:

  • Named a 2016 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum1
  • Received a 2009 DOHA 21st Century Leader Award as Outstanding Humanitarian2
  • Selected as a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow in 20162

Personal Background

Born in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Monica is the daughter of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.1

Monica Yunus continues to balance her roles as a performer, educator, and advocate, using her artistic talents to create positive social impact.

Highlights

Jun 4 · linkedin

Celebrate the launch of The Sing for Hope Pianos: New York City 2024

“The Sing for Hope Pianos are the flowers of New York City. If painting a piano and leaving it on the streets isn’t addressing our hearts—our love and our pain and our need to connect—then I don’t know what is.”  —Daphne Rubin-Vega Broadway icon and Sing for Hope Art for All Awardee

📍 Join Sing for Hope on Monday, June 10th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Fosun Plaza, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY, for the unveiling of the Sing for Hope Pianos: NYC 2024.

🔴 At 12 noon, enjoy a special performance showcasing a vibrant array of New York City musical talent, featuring On Site Opera, Harlem Chamber Players, the Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus, and LaGuardia High School Treble Choir. The host for this special event is Sing for Hope Youth Ambassador Alex Garfin, star of the CW's Superman & Lois, and we will be joined by New York City Council Member Christopher Marte of District 1.

Be among the first to experience the Sing for Hope Pianos – open for anyone and everyone to play!

The festivities conclude with a powerful and unifying annual tradition: all the Sing for Hope Pianos playing in unison.

Want to be part of the finale? We're looking for volunteer pianists who can hone their skills on Bach's "Prelude in C Major" from The Well-Tempered Clavier for our grand finale. Reserve your spot (first-come, first-served) by emailing [email protected].

Key Event Details: Date: Monday, June 10th Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Location: Fosun Plaza, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY (Rain location: 28 Liberty Street Concourse Level) Performances: 12:00 PM Following the unveiling on Fosun Plaza, the Sing for Hope Pianos will create spontaneous shared musical experiences across New York City. They'll be installed at 15 host sites across New York City, available for public play through June 30th.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to celebrate music and community!

https://lnkd.in/e_YVPMgm

Feb 12 · linkedin

Scary reports from Bangladesh today: army vehicles and armed officers came to the Grameen Telecom building and refused to let employees leave for hours, taking over the building which has offices of 15 Grameen companies.

The claim is that because they were started via Grameen, they are all under one umbrella company (not true) and therefore can be seized.

Employees were advised that new management would take over starting tomorrow, until then the building will remain locked.

No warrant presented, no justification.

https://lnkd.in/eGEqh95C

#IstandwithYunus @professormuhammadyunus @yunuscentrebd

Edited to include @thedavidbergmans post on X :

For those bewildered by why the Bangladesh government has been falsely accusing the Nobel Peace prize winner Mohammad Yunus of various crimes (corruption, labour law breaches), part of its end game now seems to be apparent. The government is now seeking to take over various companies, including in particular Grameen Telecom, which Yunus chairs. Perhaps recognising that it has no legal basis to take over these companies, the government is seeking to do this by brute force. Today, a group of men, including an army officer, entered the offices of these companies, claiming that these are now all owned by the government. Why do they want to get hold of these companies? Grameen Telecom is a minority shareholder of the highly profitable Norwegian mobile phone company Grameen Phone, and therefore receives millions of dollars in dividends every years. Many have speculated that the government wants to get its hands on the dividends that Grameen Telecom receives, and which for years Yunus has been using to fund social businesses including nursing training schools etc. And now the government, newly elected in a uncontested election thinks now is the right time to take the companies over. What is going on right now is a bit like the Hungarian government taking over all of George Soros's philanthropic companies.

Related Questions

What are some of Monica Yunus's most notable performances at The Metropolitan Opera?
How did Monica Yunus's upbringing influence her career in music?
What is the mission of Sing for Hope, and how has it impacted communities?
What awards and recognitions has Monica Yunus received for her contributions to the arts?
How does Monica Yunus incorporate her role as an artist lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University into her work?
Monica Yunus
Monica Yunus, photo 1
Monica Yunus, photo 2
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Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States