Brenda Vongova
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Brenda Vongova | |
|---|---|
| Born | Toronto, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian, American |
| Occupation(s) | International civil servant, musician, filmmaker |
| Known for | President of the United Nations Chamber Music Society and the United Nations Movie Society |
Brenda Vongova is a Canadian-American international civil servant, musician, and filmmaker. She is president of the United Nations Chamber Music Society (UNCMS) and the United Nations Movie Society, two cultural organizations operating under the United Nations Staff Recreation Council. Her work has been profiled by international media such as Vogue magazine, PassBlue, and Newsweek.
Early life and education
[edit]Vongova was born in Toronto and studied classical piano with a Russian piano teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Music and later with Jerome Lowenthal of the Juilliard School. She later attended Harvard University, where she contributed to the Harvard Law Record[1][2] and Harbus newspapers, and was a member of the Harvard Piano Society.[3] Vongova is a voting member of the Recording Academy and was a special guest performer at the Recording Academy’s AAPI celebration at the NYC Grammy Townhouse in May 2025.[4]
United Nations career
[edit]Vongova joined the Executive Office of the Secretary-General in 2015 and prepares high-level briefing materials for Secretary-General António Guterres. She previously served under former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman.[5][6] Between 2008 and 2010, she worked in the cabinets of three consecutive presidents of the United Nations General Assembly and was later elected treasurer of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council.[7]
United Nations Chamber Music Society
[edit]Vongova founded the United Nations Chamber Music Society in 2016, an organization that unites UN staff and diplomats for concerts and projects commemorating UN occasions. The ensemble has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the UN General Assembly Hall, collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Festival, the New York Philharmonic[8] and Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin.[9][10]
In 2020 UNESCO profiled the ensemble in its “ResiliArt” series, noting its aim of “promoting the goals of the UN through the universal language of music.”[11]
Recognition and media coverage
[edit]Vongova's work in cultural diplomacy has attracted attention from international media. PassBlue, a media outlet focused on the UN and global diplomacy, published a feature on her leadership of the UN Chamber Music Society, highlighting its mission to "radiate peace through music."[6] In 2015, she was featured in the September issue of Vogue magazine for her dual role as a UN professional and advocate for wellness and fitness.[12] Her music advocacy work has also been covered by Newsweek, Global Heroes, JNS, and other mainstream publications.
United Nations Movie Society
[edit]In 2024, Vongova founded the United Nations Movie Society, an internal staff club that curates film screenings and discussions on global issues.[13][14]
Other activities
[edit]Outside the UN, Vongova has taught piano to visually-impaired students through the Gluck Community Service Fellowship[citation needed] and delivered wellness workshops for fashion and beauty brands.[15] She is certified as a Women’s Fitness Specialist by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Vongova, Brenda. "Advice for Entertainment Lawyers from Mark Gill, Former President of Warner Independent Pictures". Harvard Law Record. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Vongova, Brenda. "Producer Discusses Michael Clayton". Harvard Law Record. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Meet our pianists – Brenda Vongova". Harvard College Piano Society. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Frasier, Nina (May 2025). "Recording Academy Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month With The Gold House Music Futures Alliance". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ "About". UN Chamber Music Society. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b Candela, Kacie (10 November 2018). "A UN Ensemble Whose Music Radiates Peace". PassBlue. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Presidents of the General Assembly". United Nations. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "UN Chamber Music Society: Music Therapy Concert with Musicians from The New York Philharmonic". Carnegie Hall. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "UN Chamber Music Society Concert for Music Therapy with Jerome Lowenthal, Piano". Carnegie Hall. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "UN Chamber Music Society Performance of Christopher Tin's Music". United Nations. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "14 July UN Chamber Music Society ResiliArt Concert". UNESCO. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ DeSanctis, Marcia (September 2015). "The Bottom Line: Weary of looking back in anger, Marcia DeSanctis embarks on a dedicated regimen in pursuit of hindquarterly perfection" (PDF). Vogue. Retrieved 6 June 2025 – via Marcia DeSanctis.
- ^ "Special Movie Screening Featuring the 2025 Oscar-Winning Animated Feature Film FLOW". United Nations. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ "Shakespeare at the UN". Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Partnerships and Special Events". Brenda Vongova. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Travel & Fitness – Wander Woman Diaries". Wander Woman Diaries. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- UN Chamber Music Society
- UN Chamber Music Society’s Playlist on the UN Global YouTube Channel
- UN Movie Society’s REEL COMPASSION Playlist on the UN Global YouTube Channel