AnnaMaria Cardinalli
Encyclopedia
AnnaMaria Cardinalli is an American
Military Investigator, Classical Guitar
ist, and operatic Mezzo-Soprano
.
and in Philosophy
. However, her Ph.D. was completed in Notre Dame's Theology
program, where she majored in Liturgical Studies with a minor in Latino Studies. Her doctoral research focused upon the music and worship practices of a secretive Catholic
sect with roots in medieval Spain
.
Also at 14, Cardinalli became a nationally-published author on the topic of education with the book Why Wait? Graduate! (Northwest Publishing, 1995). Now timely again, her work offered students a viable alternative to escape the issues of “bullying,” gang, and school violence.
, and multiple performances of the Concierto de Aranjuez with various orchestras.
Cardinalli's discography includes guitar and vocal work, as well as one operatic contribution to a hip-hop album featuring Kanye West
and John Legend
.
Cardinalli is closely associated with the Chicago Studio of Professional Singing and highly credits Janice Pantazelos as her vocal instructor.
Working as AnnaMaria, Cardinalli has released 12 CD's.
, Afghanistan
while serving on a Human Terrain Team. She is the owner of D'Angelo Global Solutions , a "consulting" firm functioning as a Private Military Contracting (PMC) and security operation. Cardinalli is a licensed private investigator.
During her time with the Human Terrain Team, Cardinalli was tasked to research the sexual practices of the Pashtun
. Her investigation and subsequent report brought to light the prevalent sexual abuse of young boys, and as Sara Carter described it in the Washington Examiner
, the "vast gulf between U.S. and Afghan attitudes about homosexuality
and pedophilia
". Cardinalli asserts that the practice of abuse plays a role in the early development of terrorists and describes how child sex slaves are often trapped and hidden as young “recruits” to various police, military, and insurgent organizations in Afghanistan. Cardinalli's report led to the 2011 announcement that "NATO officials have been aware of the recruitment problem for some time, and the former military commander, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal
, issued an order in 2010 warning troops to be on the lookout for under-age recruits."
Cardinalli has been associated with the inception of the US Marine Corps Female Engagement Team, the first official involvement of women in an operational capacity "outside the wire", and served as a member of, and mentor to, the first team.
, the Washington Examiner
, CNN
, Fox News and other media outlets.
Many responders accuse the study of contributing to a sense of homophobia
and Islamophobia
. M. Jamil Hanifi & Maximilian C. Forte, writing on Zero Anthropology, roundly criticize both Joel Brinkley and Cardinalli, pointing out that "As for Cardinalli’s background, it is in theology and Latino studies, focusing on Spanish flamenco
and New Mexico. She “identifies herself first as a musician.” No background, in other words, in Islam
, Afghanistan
, Central Asia, gender and sexuality studies."
Cardinalli's academic biography, however, does mention her study of the socio-cultural dynamics underlying conflict between Islamic and western cultures, and her previous use of the ethnographic research techniques required for Human Terrain work.
While listing her credentials as a professor of National Security and Intelligence studies, Cardinalli also acknowledges having worked "as a contractor on numerous intelligence, training, defense, and counterintelligence/security projects."
This "shadowy" combination of involvements, combined with her profession as a performer, has earned Cardinalli a somewhat notorious reputation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Military Investigator, Classical Guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
ist, and operatic Mezzo-Soprano
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
.
Education
Cardinalli graduated from high school at the age of 14 and college at the age of 18. Her M.A. was awarded at age 20, and at age 24, she became the youngest person to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame. Her early degrees were awarded in Performing ArtsPerforming arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
and in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. However, her Ph.D. was completed in Notre Dame's Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
program, where she majored in Liturgical Studies with a minor in Latino Studies. Her doctoral research focused upon the music and worship practices of a secretive Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
sect with roots in medieval Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Also at 14, Cardinalli became a nationally-published author on the topic of education with the book Why Wait? Graduate! (Northwest Publishing, 1995). Now timely again, her work offered students a viable alternative to escape the issues of “bullying,” gang, and school violence.
Musical career
Cardinalli, performing as "AnnaMaria", is a classical and flamenco guitarist, as well an operatic Mezzo-Soprano, noted by reviewers for both technical complexity and a feminine sensuality in her interpretive style. Her performances include a solo recital at the Kennedy center, appearances for the Prince of Spain and Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, and multiple performances of the Concierto de Aranjuez with various orchestras.
Cardinalli's discography includes guitar and vocal work, as well as one operatic contribution to a hip-hop album featuring Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
.
Cardinalli is closely associated with the Chicago Studio of Professional Singing and highly credits Janice Pantazelos as her vocal instructor.
Working as AnnaMaria, Cardinalli has released 12 CD's.
Investigative career
Independent of her more public musical career, Cardinalli's previous employers include the FBI and the Joint Special Operations Command, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps, working in Helmand ProvinceHelmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
while serving on a Human Terrain Team. She is the owner of D'Angelo Global Solutions , a "consulting" firm functioning as a Private Military Contracting (PMC) and security operation. Cardinalli is a licensed private investigator.
During her time with the Human Terrain Team, Cardinalli was tasked to research the sexual practices of the Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
. Her investigation and subsequent report brought to light the prevalent sexual abuse of young boys, and as Sara Carter described it in the Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner
The Washington Examiner is a free daily newspaper published in Springfield, Virginia, and distributed in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz....
, the "vast gulf between U.S. and Afghan attitudes about homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and pedophilia
Pedophilia
As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia is defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children...
". Cardinalli asserts that the practice of abuse plays a role in the early development of terrorists and describes how child sex slaves are often trapped and hidden as young “recruits” to various police, military, and insurgent organizations in Afghanistan. Cardinalli's report led to the 2011 announcement that "NATO officials have been aware of the recruitment problem for some time, and the former military commander, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal
Stanley A. McChrystal
Stanley Allen McChrystal is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. His last assignment was as Commander, International Security Assistance Force and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan...
, issued an order in 2010 warning troops to be on the lookout for under-age recruits."
Cardinalli has been associated with the inception of the US Marine Corps Female Engagement Team, the first official involvement of women in an operational capacity "outside the wire", and served as a member of, and mentor to, the first team.
Controversy
Cardinalli's work on sexuality came to national media attention in late 2010. Her report was covered by Joel Brinkley in the San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
, the Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner
The Washington Examiner is a free daily newspaper published in Springfield, Virginia, and distributed in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is owned by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz....
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Fox News and other media outlets.
Many responders accuse the study of contributing to a sense of homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
and Islamophobia
Islamophobia
Islamophobia describes prejudice against, hatred or irrational fear of Islam or MuslimsThe term dates back to the late 1980s or early 1990s, but came into common usage after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States....
. M. Jamil Hanifi & Maximilian C. Forte, writing on Zero Anthropology, roundly criticize both Joel Brinkley and Cardinalli, pointing out that "As for Cardinalli’s background, it is in theology and Latino studies, focusing on Spanish flamenco
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
and New Mexico. She “identifies herself first as a musician.” No background, in other words, in Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Central Asia, gender and sexuality studies."
Cardinalli's academic biography, however, does mention her study of the socio-cultural dynamics underlying conflict between Islamic and western cultures, and her previous use of the ethnographic research techniques required for Human Terrain work.
While listing her credentials as a professor of National Security and Intelligence studies, Cardinalli also acknowledges having worked "as a contractor on numerous intelligence, training, defense, and counterintelligence/security projects."
This "shadowy" combination of involvements, combined with her profession as a performer, has earned Cardinalli a somewhat notorious reputation.
Academic Appointments and Awards
Cardinalli is a current professor in the Graduate Program of Intelligence and National Security Studies at American Military University. Cardinalli’s military and civilian awards include the Joint Service Civilian Commendation Medal and the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism. She is also a 2006 Laureate of the Mother Theresa Award for her artistic efforts.Discography
- Legado y Leyenda
- Flamenco Steel
- El Duo Duende
- Sweet Night
- Sleep with the Angels
- Padre’s Footsteps
- Quinceañera
- Santa Fe Silver
- Spain Never Sleeps
- El Rosario
- Navidad
- AnnaMaria
See also
- Bacha bazi (sexual slavery / child prostitution in Afghanistan)
- Military intelligenceMilitary intelligenceMilitary intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
(a discussion of the discipline)
External links
- http://www.annamaria.ws/cds.phpList of AnnaMaria flamencoFlamencoFlamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
guitar CDs]
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARmeGm4GfUCardinalli appearing as Bizet’s CarmenCarmenCarmen is a French opéra comique by Georges Bizet. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée, first published in 1845, itself possibly influenced by the narrative poem The Gypsies by Alexander Pushkin...
shortly after a return from Iraq]