Liesl McPherrin 928 Peninsula Ave, San Mateo CA, 94401
Instruments:Chorus, Early Music, Musicology, Piano, Theory, Voice, World Music
Styles:Classical, Jazz, Kids, World, Other
Levels:Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Experience:4 years
Rate:$80 / hr
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Personal Statement
Liesl McPherrin is a coloratura soprano from Yuba City, California. She recently completed her Master of Music from Westminster Choir College in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. She completed her undergraduate studies in 2011 at San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.
In February, 2014 Liesl performed as a guest artist for the 50th Anniversary of the Frank V. de Bellis Collection at the J Paul Leonard Library at her Alma Mater, San Francisco State University, in San Francisco, CA. She sang the role of Abelle in a special presentation the Scarlatti Oratorio Il Primo Omicidio with other selected SF State alumni.
During her graduate studies, Liesl sang the roles of Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor, Antonia in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann, and Tytania in Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream with Westminster Opera Theater. Liesl was also an active participant in the opera workshop class taught by Nova Thomas, singing the roles of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, and Konstanze in Die Entfhrung aus dem Serail. Liesl also enjoys work behind the curtain, and directed scenes from The Marriage of Figaro and The Merry Widow. In November, 2013, Liesl participated in a masterclass with soprano Dawn Upshaw. In Summer, 2013, Liesl was an Opera Fellow at Rider University’s CoOPERAtive Program. There, she sang in masterclasses with Kathleen Kelly (University of Texas) and Pierre Vallet (Tokyo Opera, Metropolitan Opera). This program also offered the fantastic chance to receive private dramatic coaching with director Amy Hutchison (Chicago Lyric Opera).
In the first year at Westminster, graduate students participate in the Westminster Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Joe Miller. Here, Liesl was able to sing with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the West-Eat Divan Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Barenboim, and the Simon Bolivar orchestra under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel. This experience provided the chance to perform in such locations as the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Before beginning graduate studies, Liesl taught Vocal Techniques at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts. There, she also served as the vocal coach & accompanist for the lead roles and chorus in the school’s musical, She Loves Me. In Marysville and Yuba City she sang with Borgamaria Lyric Opera, Sutter Performing Arts Association, and was a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Yuba-Sutter Oratorio Society.
In undergraduate studies at San Francisco State, she appeared as Esmeralda in The Bartered Bride, Flipote in Tartuffe, and in numerous scenes productions with the opera workshop. As a soloist, she sang excerpts from the role of Maria in a West Side Story vignette under the direction of Vance George, as well as singing as a soloist in Mendelssohn’s Ave Maria. In April, 2011, she placed first in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Bay Area Chapter festival for Art Songs. Among her experiences, Liesl was a member of the San Francisco State Chamber Singers, University Chorus, Women’s Chorus and Afro-Cuban Ensemble. Outside of school, she stayed active in the Bay Area performing arts community, singing chorus with the San Francisco Lyric Opera, Urban Opera, and Golden Gate Opera.