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The American mezzo-soprano, pianist and music pedagogue, Ann Cravero, obtained her Bachelor of Music Eduation, Piano and Voice degree from the Bradley University (1990-1995), her Master of Arts degree in Voice from the University of Iowa (1998-2000), and her Doctor of Music Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Iowa (2001-2006). Her teachers include Dr. Kerry Walters, Elizabeth Ecklund, Emma Small, Dr. Kathryn Eberle, Stephen Swanson, Sally Stunkel (directing) and Dr. Edward Kaizer (piano). She has performed in master-classes with Frederica von Stade and Michèle Crider, and coached with soprano Cheryl Studer. She participated, as an apprentice artist for the Des Moines Metro Opera, recitalist with Festivale Cantus Angeli in Italy, is the district winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award competition, and recipient of honorable mention for the Metropolitan Opera National Council District Audition.
An acclaimed mezzo-soprano recitalist and soloist, Ann Cravero has been heard on stages in Italy and throughout the USA including repeat solo performances at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. She has performed lead opera roles Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, the 2nd Lady in The Magic Flute, La Mere d’Antonia in Les Contes D’Hoffman, Phoebe in Yeoman of the Guard and The Duchess in Gondoliers with the Martha-Ellen Tye Opera Theatre at the University of Iowa, the Northland Opera Theatre, and the Rome Festival Opera in Rome, Italy. Cravero directs operas for the Drake Opera Theatre, and has directed with the City Opera Company of the Quad Cities, and a one-act opera at the University of Iowa under the tutelage of director Sally Stunkel.
Highly sought after for her interpretation of New Music, Ann Cravero has performed with the Center for New Music in Iowa City, Iowa, including performances of works by Scott Dunn, Geoffrey Gordon, Bernard Rands, and Raffaele Grimaldi. In the fall of 2009 she was commissioned by the Iowa Composers’ Forum to tour Iowa with pianist Miko Kominami. Ann has been seen on RAI TV in Italy and broadcast on Iowa Public Radio. Likewise, her doctoral thesis, "Contemporary Opera Scenes for Countertenor: A Stage Director’s Guide", includes new research and commentary based on operatic works by Stewart Wallace, Jeffrey Lependorf, David Johnson, Paul Barker, and one of the foremost composers of countertenor repertoire, Geoffrey Burgon.
Recent performances include solo engagements with the Lyric Symphony Orchestra, California; Peoria Bach Festival, Illinois; The Alexander and Buono Festival, Italy; The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra; The Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, Iowa; Paulus’ ‘To Be Certain of the Dawn’ at the Overture Center, Wisconsin working with Stephen Paulus; and The Center for New Music, Iowa City.
Since 2002, Ann Cravero is Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Theater at Drake University. Her voice students-in all degree programs- are active participants and winners of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition, the Drake University Honors Recital Competition, and have been accepted into prestigious programs and Graduate Schools such as the Aspen Festival, Oberlin in Italy, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, FIO Americas Brazil, as well as becoming successful music educators and recording engineers. Cravero is also the recipient of the Donald Walker Vocal Scholarship for Outstanding Vocal Achievement at the University of Iowa, receiver of Outstanding Academic Achievement in the field of Music Education and the winner of the University Piano Concerto Competition both at Bradley University.
Ann Cravero resides in West Des Moines with her husband Anthony, children Dominic and Marisa, and their dog, Luca. |
