About Rochelle

Jump to Rochelle's CV

American spinto soprano Rochelle Hart's wide vocal range and emotionally driven artistic interpretation of any role she faces makes her a versatile and commanding performer. This has allowed her to explore both mezzo soprano and soprano roles of a lyric and dramatic nature throughout her career to date, both in Opera and Musical Theatre. Her passion lies in singing the demanding roles of Puccini, Donizetti and Verdi.

She began singing at the age of 5, when she played a singing tree in her elementary school's adaptation of Snow White. This sparked a passion for performing which led her to study with soprano Lisa Mooyman. By the time Rochelle graduated High School, she already had several stage roles and solo performances under her belt, including an orphan in Annie, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, soprano solos for Handel's Messiah and the performance of several arias and oratorio solo pieces for professional chamber ensembles and repertoire companies. She also frequently participated in State-wide opera competitons, consistantely earning the highest grades available for her performance and interpretation. Her experiences afforded her the opportunity to study with the prestigious Oregon Repertory Singers, and allowed her to tour Europe with the Oregon Ambassadors of Music, singing in several noteworthy locations including Westminster Abbey.

She went on to study music at University of Oregon and Portland State University, participating in Opera and Jazz groups. She also performed in Musical Theatre productions both at University and with local theatre companies. After graduating, she relocated to the United Kingdom, where she continued to be active in voice whilst pursuing other academic interests, obtaining an MA in Roman Archaeology from the University of Liverpool. She continues to study voice with Sean Jeffrey, participates in master classes given by staff of the National Opera Studio, Royal Opera House and English National Opera, and will soon be furthering her studies with counter-tenor Andrew Watts.

She has sung under the baton of several world-renowned conductors, and has studied with several highly regarded classical singers and musicians. Rochelle is also listed on the deputy soloists list for the Chelsea Opera Group. As well as performing, Rochelle has been part of a casting sub-committee for the Chelsea Opera Group, helped set up the White City Singers - a BBC club choir, and has also worked as a private vocal coach and mentor to aspiring vocalists.

CURRICULUM VITAE

 Education and Training
2004: Completed BA (Anthropology/Music & Operatic Artistry studies), Portland State University, Portland Oregon
1999-2001: Vocal Performance and Music Theory studies, University of Oregon Department of Music and Dance, Eugene Oregon
1997: Completed vocal and choral training with Oregon Repertory Singers
1992: Completed Talented and Gifted (TAG) young actors programme
Master Classes with: Jeremy Silver (NOS), David Edwards (ROH), Robin Bowman (Guildhall)

Selected Credits
Opera
Chorus, La Traviata (Verdi), Chelsea Opera Group, Queen Elizabeth Hall
Chorus,Alceste (Gluck), Chelsea Opera Group, Cadogan Hall
Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi, Portland State Opera
Pamina, Die Zauberflöte, Oregon Opera
Peep-Bo, The Mikado, Cleveland Thespian Group

Concert/Oratorio
Bel Canto Recital, for 5th World Congress, Chez Gerard Opera Terrace, Covent Garden
Soprano (soloist), Carmina Burana, Clackamas Chamber Choir
Soprano (soloist), Handel's Messiah, Oregon Repertory Singers
Soprano (soloist), A Russian Journey, Oregon Repertory Singers
Featured soloist, Summer Solstice Concert, Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan, Innsbruck
Featured soloist, Clackamas Town Christmas Concert, Clackamas Chamber Choir
Soprano, Carmina Burana, Choral Cross Ties with Portland Opera
Soprano, Christmas Oratorio, Clackamas Chamber Choir
Soprano, Music of Estonia, Clackamas Chamber Choir
Soprano, Festival Sanctus (OAM Chamber Choir), Domkirche zu St. Jakob, Munich
Soprano, OAM Chamber Choir Concert, Westminster Abbey
Soprano, Mozart's Grand Mass in C Minor, Oregon Symphony and Chorus
American and Canadian Anthems, Portland Trailblazers Basketball, Rose Garden Arena (with NBC coverage)

Musical Theatre
*Christine, Phantom of the Opera, Portland State Opera
Janet, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clinton Street Theatre Company
Maria, West Side Story, YMA Theatre Group
* Denotes scene

Notable Conductors: Vladamir Minin, James DePriest, Nicholas Collon, Gianluca Marcianò, Dominic Wheeler, David Becker
Notable Chorus Masters: Gil Seeley, Bruce Brown, Deborah Miles Johnson, Robin Newton

Voice Teachers and Coaches: Lisa Mooyman, Steven Peter, Sean Jeffrey

Related Skills
Languages (Spoken): English (native), Conversational German, basic Italian
Languages (Singing): English, German, Italian, Latin, French, Spanish
Dance: Ballet, Jazz, Tap; Acting Training: 8 years; Alexander Technique: 1 year
Other Instruments Studied: Saxophone - 7 years; Acoustic Guitar - 10 years; Piano - 1 year

Future Engagements
Médée, Cherubini, Chelsea Opera Group, Cadogan Hall Belisario,Donizetti, Chelsea Opera Group, Queen Elizabeth Hall