Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Morales.
Hi Marilyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Havana, Cuba, and began my piano studies there at the age of 5. My family and I escaped from Cuba when I was 10 and spent 3 years in Madrid before emigrating to Miami. I grew up in Miami, receiving my A.A. in Piano Performance from Miami Dade College, Kendall. I received my B.A. in Piano Performance from Boston University in 1986.
In 1988, I was in the finals of a concerto competition in Portland, Maine, where I met my lifelong musical partner, Kirk Whipple. Together in Sonoma County, California, we formed our organization, The Unconservatory, which has continuously promoted creation, performance, recording, and education in the musical arts since 1990. Kirk and I were married in 1992 in a ceremony, which included the world premiere performance of our original Concerto in B Minor for Two Pianos & Orchestra.
On this occasion, we also performed the world premiere of “Wedding Music for Two Pianos,” written for us by our mentor, W. A. Mathieu. Kirk and I moved to Miami in 1996 and have been presenting concerts and festivals around the country. In a collaboration between Fire Haus Projects and The Unconservatory, Gala for Two Pianos is an annual concert series we present in various locations throughout Miami-Dade County.
Through this program, we have formed and recorded two touring ensembles: The Unconservatory Festival Orchestra – The UFO – and The United Nations Piano Quartet – The UNPQ. We recorded “Danzas Para Dos Pianos y Orquesta” (Dances for Two Pianos & Orchestra) in California in 2006 with The UFO on a tour of the United States. In 2008, we recorded a “Premiere CD” with The UNPQ in Miami. We have performed with The UFO in Florida, California, and Massachusetts, and with the UNPQ in Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, France, and Ukraine.
In 2006, we formed our annual music festival in Massachusetts, Cranberry Coast Concerts (CCC). Under the auspices of CCC, we have performed and presented over 500 events throughout the New England region. Included in CCC’s annual programming we have presented an annual “Outstanding Artist Concert.” Over the years, several student performers who have participated in this program have gone on to professional and semi-professional careers in music and education.
Our piano duo appears on several other recordings including “Elemental Portraits, Nocturnes for Two Pianos” (by Kirk Whipple), “Latin Lovers” (our original two-piano arrangements of famous Latin songs), “Celebrating Americans” (works by American composers) and our holiday collection, “The White Season.” Together with CCC, Fire Haus Projects, and The Unconservatory, we share video content online at: www.YouTube.com/WhipMo. More of our music and videos may be experienced at: www.Reverbnation.com/KWMM.
On Thanksgiving weekend in 2022, I am proud to say that the world premiere of my original musical, “Always Remember,” was performed to standing ovations at the Dennis C. Moss Center for the Arts in Cutler Bay. In development for over 20 years, my musical tells the story of a family’s struggle to leave Castro’s Cuba and reunite after being separated by forces beyond their control.
With a cast, crew, and orchestra of almost 100 people, several of South Florida’s vocal and theatrical luminaries appeared in the world premiere, including Gerardo Ortega, Megan Barrera, Catherine Magariño, Irene Gonzalez, Michael Angelo Malachi, and Sebastian Hernandez. On September 8, 9, and 10, we will be presenting an important weekend of concert showcases at different venues throughout Miami-Dade County, featuring songs from “Always Remember.” For updates about the musical and future performances, please visit www.AlwaysRememberMusical.com.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing great ever came to be without a few bumps in the road. My family arrived in Spain on Christmas Eve from Cuba with nothing more than two suitcases between the five of us. To survive, my mother, father, sister, brother, and I relied on the help of friends and family in Madrid – and then three years later in Miami. My parents taught me the value of self-reliance, and it has stuck with me throughout my life.
In my career as a pianist, composer, and educator, I am faced with a culture that has placed less value on arts and education in recent times. This has also inspired me to fiercely advocate for music and the other arts to receive more attention and funding – especially in the schools. With the hard-fought premiere of “Always Remember” now in the history books, I am working very hard to gain support for future productions.
From experience, I know that there will be many more challenges along the way. But, to quote Churchill, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat”. Well, I also have my husband Kirk – without whose assistance and dedication, my musical would still be only a dream!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a pianist, composer, educator, and recording artist. As mentioned before, I have many recording, producing, and touring credits to my name. As a duo with my husband, Kirk Whipple, we have been able to reach hundreds of thousands of listeners in concert halls, churches, schools, bars, banks, ships, and every other imaginable venue.
Of course, we have also taken advantage of virtual platforms to gain an audience. Through my work as an artist, educator, concert, and festival producer, I am very proud of the many and diverse musical and theatrical creations, performances, recordings, friendships, and positive transformations that have happened as a direct result of our efforts.
While I am a solo pianist, I have specialized in ensemble piano performance, especially with Kirk. We perform a multitude of works for 1 piano / 4 hands and 2 pianos. We also perform 4-hand and 2-piano works with orchestras – and even perform works as a 1-piano / 6 hands trio. While we would need to confirm this, I know of no other duo that has created as many original works and arrangements for piano ensembles as we have.
And, with workshops and concert performances in Massachusetts and Florida, as well as the recent world premiere, I am becoming known as the creator of “Always Remember.” What am I most proud of? Being able to make my way through life as a creative and performing artist – and being able to share my work and passion with all who will listen.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
My favorite thing about Miami is the diversity of its people and cultures. During recent years, arts and culture have taken off in Miami, and I have witnessed this. It is a pleasure of mine to have been – and to continue to be – a part of this growth.
As much as arts and culture are thriving in South Florida, audiences for live music have suffered – especially during and after the pandemic. A major contributing factor to this is the lack of musical programs in public schools. While there are a few bright spots in our community – i.e. the music program at Palmetto Elementary School headed up by Oliver Diez – there is not enough of a concerted effort to make music a core program in every school.
If Miami is truly going to secure its place as an international cultural center, we must redouble our efforts to reach young audiences. And, not just with popular music. I am talking about the wealth and diversity of the vast musical spectrum: choral and instrumental music, world music, ancient music, classical, jazz, progressive… and so much more. And, oh yeah, the traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AlwaysRememberMusical.com
- Instagram: @WhippleMorales
- Facebook: @WhippleMorales
- Linkedin: @WhippleMorales
- Twitter: @CCCconcerts
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/WhipMo
- Other: www.Reverbnation.com/KWMM
Image Credits
Andrea Dougherty-O’Naghten, Dennis Bolt, Patricia Stanila, and Kirk Whipple
