_______________________________________________________
Kara
Cornell, Mezzo-soprano
Home Biography Resume Engagements Sounds Photos Reviews Contact
|
Opera and musical theater |
|
for comedy. Her expressive portrayal of roles have
hailed her “a consummate actress” and a singer with “an infectious enthusiasm”. Recent operatic
roles include “Cherubino” in Le nozze di Figaro, “Dorabella”
in Cosi fan tutte, “Rosina” in Il barbiere di Siviglia, “Jo” in Little Women and the title role in
Carmen. Musical theater
roles include “Cinderella” in Into the Woods, “Catherine” in Pippin
and “Eliza Doolittle”
in My Fair Lady. Many of her roles have been performed with full orchestra. Kara has
been featured in staged productions with
numerous professional companies, including
leading roles with Hubbard Hall Opera Theater ( Opera ( ( repeated guest artist with
Stony Brook Opera ( |
|
Contemporary Music |
|
Kara’s
passion for contemporary music has led her to exciting new projects! Kara
enjoys collaborating with composers, and has sung numerous world premiere
operas, song cycles and orchestra pieces, including Sacred Songs and Interludes, an
oratorio written by Nancy
Galbraith. Contemporary
operatic roles include “Miss Jessel”
in Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten, “May” in Footfalls
by Earl Kim and “Jo” in Little Women by Mark Adamo. In December 2008, Kara premiered songs inspired by Emily
Dickinson; collaborating with established composers, including composer and pianist
Jane Leslie. The pair immediately hit it off, and have collaborated in numerous concerts throughout the New York area. |
|
Jazz and Pop |
|
types of music. Perhaps it’s because her 92 year old Grandfather
is a jazz pianist, but she often performs works by Gershwin, Porter and Hoagy Carmichael. Kara is also a member of “Venus”, a diverse four woman singing group that travels
the globe, performing repertoire ranging from operatic-pop to
Chinese folk song. (Kara and Grandpa courtesy
of Peter Sanchirico) |
|
Oratorio and Sacred Music |
|
Kara enjoys performing oratorio
and sacred works. She has performed the alto solos in many fully-orchestrated
oratorios, including Handel’s Messiah,
Judas Maccabaeus and The Utrecht Te Deum,
Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Honegger’s King David and Bach’s Chistmas Oratorio and St. John’s
Passion. Kara has had the privilege to work most notably with The |
|
Education |
|
A graduate of |
|
Awards |
|
Kara has won several vocal awards,
including “The Phyllis Bryn-Julson Award” through
The Civic Morning Musicals Competition, and the 5 Towns Scholarship
Competition Award. During college, Kara was awarded the “Award and
Scholarship for Vocal Excellence” three years in a row. In 2009 and 2010, Kara
received a “strategic opportunity stipend” through the New York Foundation
for the Arts for the purpose of opera role study. |
|
Teaching |
|
In
addition to being a performer, Kara also prides herself in being a dedicated voice teacher.
Kara has been teaching voice since 2002, and is currently an adjunct
professor of voice in the musical theater department at College in
while
singing, and encourages an organic and free production of the voice. This
technique has allowed her students to be well-rounded, as she is, so they can
perform all types of music without strain. Kara also teaches students how to manage
performance fear and acting through music. |
|
Hobbies |
|
If you can
believe it, Kara was not particularly interested in singing until she was 15 years old.
As a painfully shy and sensitive child, Kara spent much of her time alone her
with pets and her arts-and-crafts. She also felt a strong pull to help others.
Though singing has become her biggest passion in life, Kara continues to foster
these hobbies. Kara enjoys making jewelry and crocheting hats and scarves for The
Children at Little Flower Children’s Services in NY. In 2005 she and her now
husband walked 40 miles in The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and raised over
$6,000. Jokingly known as the “cat whisperer” at a NY animal shelter, Kara
domesticated over 30 feral cats who were then adopted by loving families. Kara feels
strongly about supporting the local blood bank and donates platelets and blood
to the New York Blood Bank every 2-3 months. Last but not least, Kara’s
interest in energy healing led her to become a Reiki Master. |