Singing with Kristen M.

Kristen, mezzo-soprano, is a vocal pedagogue and performer of opera, oratorio, and art song. With a passion for contemporary repertoire, she recently sang the role of Estelle in NEC’s graduate opera production of John Musto’s Later the Same Evening under the direction of Robert Tweten and Joshua Major. Her opera credits include Zita in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, La Zia Principessa in Puccini's Suor Angelica, Madame Flora in Menotti’s The Medium as well as roles in works by Britten, Mozart, Rossini, and Gilbert & Sullivan. An avid performer of sacred repertoire, she has been a featured soloist with the South Carolina Bach Choir, North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Furman Symphony Orchestra, and Furman Chamber Choir on works such as Bach’s Die Elenden sollen essen, Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, and Honegger’s King David. She is currently the alto section leader at the United Parish of Brookline. She has participated in masterclasses led by Betsy Bishop, Kathryn Cowdrick, and Martin Katz while in the United States, and in masterclasses led by Angelika Kirchschlager and Luigi Marzola while studying and performing in Europe. Kristen holds a Master of Music degree in vocal pedagogy from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and German studies from Furman University where she graduated summa cum laude. Her teachers include Lisa Saffer, Ian Howell, Lisa Barksdale, Jill Feldman, and Trudy Fuller. Kristen has also performed and directed in the musical theater world, participating in productions such as: Into the Woods, Les Miserables, H.M.S. Pinafore, Brigadoon, The King and I, Grease, Hello Dolly!, Cabaret, and many others. In addition to her solo singing, she is an active choral singer, having performed in both small and large ensembles for more than 10 years. She recently completed the Chorworks Young Artist Program, specializing in French Baroque vocal chamber ensemble repertoire.