Emily Barrett de Balestrini,
a native of Baton Rouge, LA
began her opera & vocal studies at Louisiana State University with Patricia O’Neill and Dr. Lori Bade. After graduation, she pursued her graduate studies and completed her Master of Music at Ohio University with Dr. Patricia Pease and continued her post graduate studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with Carole Haber.
Ms. Balestrini has performed in roles such as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Pembroke Pines Theatre of Performing Arts) Annina (La Traviata-Royal Palm Opera) Papagena & Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Serpetta (La finta giardiniera), Suzel (L’Amico Fritz), and Mercedes (Carmen) among others. Soloist performances include George Crumb Festival, World Premiere with Blas González, and CBDNA Concert for Soprano & Band. Sacred works performed include Requiem (Verdi, Brahms, Mozart, and Fauré), Bach’s St. Mathäus Passion, and
Handel’s Messiah.
In 2004, Ms. Balestrini completed stage combat training with Tony Wolfe at Centro Studi Italiani in Urbania, Italia. She has sung in master classes with Benton Hess and George Crumb among others. Coaches and Directors include Ross Barentyne-Truluck, Natalia Rivera, Ed Bak, Michael Strauss, Jean Anderson-Collier, Dr. Kenneth Fulton, Dean Williamson, Dr. William Mouat, Dr. John Climer, and Robert Grayson.
Currently, Ms. Balestrini teaches music at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School in Plantation, FL and maintains a private voice studio. Other engagements include sacred cantor at various churches in and around south Florida as well as Music Director of the Children’s Choir at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church and School (www.cherubim.org). From 2007-2008, Ms. Balestrini was Music Director at Schott Communities, Frank Casale, Executive Director (www.schottcommunities.org).
In January 2009, Ms. Balestrini competed as a semi-finalist (audio file coming soon) in the Edvard Grieg Young Artist Competition at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL (www.griegfestivalinflorida.com). Currently, Ms. Balestrini studies with Metropolitan Opera renowned soprano Marilyn Mims (Palm Beach Atlantic University).
To schedule a consultation appointment as wedding soloist, sacred cantor/soloist, event/party singer and/or private lesson quotes, please contact Ms. Balestrini via email or phone (see contact information).
Upcoming 2009-2010 Performances
Coming Soon!
“La voix! la voix humaine, c’est plus beau que tout!” -Reynaldo Hahn
in a letter to Edouard Risler.
“The voice! the human voice, it is more beautiful than all!”
References available upon request.
Soprano
