AnnaMaria Cardinalli

AnnaMaria Cardinalli (born AnnaMaria Cardinalli-Padilla) is an American military investigator, classical guitarist, and operatic mezzo-soprano.

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.^[1] Her early degrees were awarded in Performing Arts 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.^[2] Her doctoral research focused upon the music and worship practices of a secretive Catholic sect with roots in medieval Spain.^[3][4]

Also at 14, Cardinalli published the nonfiction book Why Wait? Graduate! (Northwest Publishing, 1995), on early graduation from high school.^[5]

Musical career

Cardinalli playing classical Spanish guitar as 'AnnaMaria' on the CD Spain Never Sleeps

Cardinalli, performing as "AnnaMaria",^[6][7] 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.^[8][9] Her performances include a solo recital at the Kennedy Center, appearances for the Prince of Spain and Pope John Paul II, and multiple performances of the Concierto de Aranjuez with various orchestras.^[10]

Cardinalli's discography includes guitar and vocal work,^[10] as well as one operatic contribution to a hip-hop album featuring Kanye West and John Legend.^[11]

Cardinalli is closely associated with the Chicago Studio of Professional Singing and highly credits Janice Pantazelos as her vocal instructor. ^[12]

Working as AnnaMaria, Cardinalli has released 12 CD's. ^{[7] [13]}

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 Province, Afghanistan while serving on a Human Terrain Team.^[14] She is the owner of D'Angelo Global Solutions ^[15], a "consulting" firm functioning as a Private Military Company (PMC) and security operation. Cardinalli is a licensed private investigator.^[14]

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,^[16] and as Sara Carter described it in the Washington Examiner, the "vast gulf between U.S. and Afghan attitudes about homosexuality and pedophilia".^[17]

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.^[18] 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."^[19]

Cardinalli has been associated with the inception of the U.S. 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.^[14]

Controversy

Cardinalli's work on sexuality came to national media attention in late 2010.^[16][17] Her report was covered by Joel Brinkley in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Examiner, CNN, Fox News and other media outlets. ^[16]

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."^[20]

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.^[14]

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."^[14]

This notorious combination of involvements, combined with her profession as a performer, has earned Cardinalli a somewhat "shadowy" reputation--inviting inevitable comparison to a modern Mata Hari.

Academic appointments and awards

Cardinalli is a current professor in the Graduate Program of Intelligence and National Security Studies at American Military University.^[14] 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.^[1]

Bibliography

• Annamaria Christina Padilla. Why Wait? Graduate. Northwest Publishing, 1995. ISBN 978-0-7610-0051-8
• Cardinalli-Padilla, AnnaMaria. El Llanto: A Liturgiological Journey Into the Identity and Theology of the Northern New Mexican Penitentes and Their Spiritual Siblings. Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Notre Dame, 2004.^[21]

Discography

• Legado y Leyenda ^[22]
• Flamenco Steel^[10]
• El Duo Duende^[10]
• Sweet Night^[10]
• Sleep with the Angels^[10]
• Padre’s Footsteps^[10]
• Quinceañera^[10]
• Santa Fe Silver^[10]
• Spain Never Sleeps^[10]
• El Rosario^[10]
• Navidad^[23]
• AnnaMaria^[24]

See also

• Bacha bazi (sexual slavery / child prostitution in Afghanistan)
• Military intelligence (a discussion of the discipline)

References

External links

• Cardinalli's (music career) website
• List of AnnaMaria flamenco guitar CDs
• A dramatic war-reaction video, utilizing Cardinalli's dark voice.
• Full text of Cardinalli's controversial report