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The American mezzo-soprano, Cheryse McLeod Lewis, obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University (1994-1998); her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1999-2001); and her Artist Diploma in Opera Performance The AJ Fletcher Opera Institute of The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (2001-2002).
Cheryse McLeod Lewis (AEA, AGMA) is an accomplished performer in opera, broadway, concert, and recital. Her diverse career includes also commercial, print, and voiceover work. She performed on the 1st National Broadway Tour of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess as Bess Understudy & Swing (October 2013-July 2014). She appeared in the title role (Bess) numerous times to critical acclaim. Recent engagements for the 2017-2018 season include her Village Theatre debut as Cinderella's Stepmother in Into The Woods (January-June 2017), her Seattle Opera solo role debut as Annie in Porgy and Bess (August 2018), a Seattle Art Song Society guest soloist debut (April 2018), and a solo concert at Central Washington University as a part of their Visiting Guest Artist Series (February 2019).
Commended for her “stunning vocal power” (Asheville Citizen Times) and “rich lyric mezzo sound” (Opera News Online), some of Cheryse McLeod Lewis’ other leading roles include the title role in Georges Bizet's Carmen (Capital Opera Raleigh; Asheville Lyric Opera); Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Asheville Lyric Opera, Mansfield Symphony, Central Georgia Opera Guild); Hansel in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel (Connecticut Opera; Greensboro Opera); The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors (Opera Carolina; Connecticut Opera); and Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus (Vashon Opera; Greensboro Opera).
Cheryse McLeod Lewis also appears in concert and recital to rave reviews has performed as a soloist with Orchestra Seattle, Eastern Music Festival, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Greensboro Symphony, New Britain Symphony, North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, MOJA Festival, Bellevue City Opera Ballet and Greensboro Oratorio Society. She made her Spoleto Festival USA debut in May 2021 as The Mother in the world premiere opera Omar.
"Then Sings My Soul: Songs & Spirituals from the American Experience" is the solo show that Cheryse McLeod Lewis performs across the country to outstanding accolades. Audiences love this concert of American music that includes stunning spirituals, popular Broadway favorites, beloved jazz standards, and inspirational American song. She has performed Then Sings My Soul at Arizona State University Kerr Cultural Center, Gettysburg Festival, Arkansas State University-Beebe, Chipola College, Fayetteville State University, Southern Adventist University, Taylor University, Albany State University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Seminole State College, and Davidson County Community College.
Cheryse McLeod Lewis is currently based in Seattle, Washington. In November 2012, she released her debut solo CD, "Spirituals". When she is not singing, she is a professional actor, model, and voiceover artist. Her recent commercial, print, and voiceover credits include national ads for Amazon, Microsoft, Costco, and Zillow. She is Owner & Executive Producer at Premier Vocal Entertainment (since 2016) |
