Cindy Shapiro

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. My mother played piano at nearly a concert level. We had a parlor grand piano. My siblings and I would set up a blanket under there and play games or do homework as our mother played Rachmaninoff, Gershwin or Chopin above us. Magic! What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Jeff Buckley, So Real: Songs from Jeff Buckley Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring & "The Firebird" Ballet Suite 1945 XTC, Oranges & Lemons Oranges & Lemons is always fresh and contains musical twists and surprises in a pop/rock context. Jeff Buckley is deeply emotional and brings me into vocal communion. And Stravinsky is the ultimate modernist and intellectual symphonic composer. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “I'm With You” This song was written to bring comfort to people in pain, both physical and existential. I have talked to people who have told me that they listen to it every day, and that is has brought them great relief. It has a life of its own, which is special. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? A few years ago the LA Singers, members of ASCAP who sing on most of the film scores, chose an a capella piece from my first opera to demo what choir can do for a film score at a Society of Composers & Lyricists evening. 56 of them sang. Incredible! Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? I am currently working on my third fully sung through work that will be mounted as a piece of immersive narrative art. I have many future works that I want to create. I will never feel done. Life and art are always exciting to me.