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The Ameriican soprano, Jessica Abel, obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, cum laude from Florida State University (2002-2006), where she studied with Jerrold Pope and Barbara Ford; her Master of Music Vocal degree in Performance snd Pedagogy from Peabody Conservatory (2008), where she studied with Phyllis Bryn-Julson and Marianna Busching; Post-graduate Studies in Vocal Performance 20th/21st Century at Peabody Conservatory/Johns Hopkins (2008-2010). She has also Certificate of Studies American Music Performance Fusion Arts Exchange (2007); Certificate of Excellence Opera Performance BASOTI (2008); Certificate of Studies Opera Studio Member AIMS (2009). She currently studies with Elizabeth Daniels.
Honors/Awards include: Grant from Peabody Career Development Grant (2007); Scholarship from International Fusion Arts Exchange Program (2007); Scholarship The Douglas and Hilda Perl Goodwin Endowed Fund for Opera (2007-2008); Winner Phyllis Bryn-Julson Prize for 20th and 21st Century Vocal Literature (2008); Scholarship Charles P. Sachs Conservatory Scholarship (2006/07-2008/09); Scholarship American Institute of Musical Studies (2009); Semi-Finalist Meistersinger Competition (2009); Winner The Baltimore Music Club Competition, Senior Division (2010); Best Female Voice International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, North American Division (2010); Finalist & Prizewinner FMMC Washington International Voice Competition at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre (2010). This spring, she competed as a Semi-Finalist in the 2013 Washington International Competition and a Semi-Finalist in the 25th Annual Annapolis Opera Competition.
Jessica Abel is equally enthusiastic on the operatic stage and as a recitalist, and she enjoys exploring music in a variety of styles and languages. Her voice has been described as “stunning…rich, warm, and passionate…” by Adam Butalewicz of Sinfully Cincinnati, and she has recently garnered praise and attention for her performances in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. metro area and beyond.
Jessica Abel is particularly committed to championing new music and has recently given the premiere performances of several new works including Jessica Rudman’s Pictures of the Floating World for soprano and tuba (2013), Geoff Sheil’s The Enormous Room for soprano and cello (2013), Broadcast Recovered from the Room Marked “1930s” by American composer Brian Robison (2011). She also created the role of Lvov in Strong Like Bull, a new opera by Joshua Bornfield (2011). She has appeared with chamber music ensembles Mobtown Modern and Vivre Musicale in Baltimore, Maryland and Great Noise Ensemble in Washington, DC.
Jessica Abel's operatic highlights include performances as Zerlina in W.A. Mozart's Don Giovanni with the Repertory Opera Theatre of Washington (2011), Barbarina in W.A. Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro with Annapolis Opera (2011), Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Maryland Opera Society (2010), Josephine in the Victorian Lyric Opera Company’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore (2010), and the title role in contemporary American opera, Dora, with the Peabody Chamber Opera (2009).
Beyond her performance experience, Jessica Abel also promotes the arts through her work as an arts administrator. she has worked at Peabody Institute (2006-2009); in the Voice Faculty of International School of music in Bethesda, Maryland (May 2008-August 2010: taught private voice lessons to young singers); as Director of Development at Vivre Musicale in Baltimore, Maryland (August 2009-May 2012); Administrative Coordinator at Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. (July 2010-March 2012); Development Assistant, Individual Giving with Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia (March 2012-December 2013); Director of Development of contemporary chamber music group, Great Noise Ensemble in Washington, District of Columbia (June 2012-December 2013); Director of Institutional Giving at Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (since December 2013). She currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland. |
