The American Mezzo-soprano, Katherine, Maysek, obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music (2008-2012); her Master of Music degrere in Voice and Opera from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (2012-2013); and her Master of Music dergree in Voice and Opera from Bard College’s Graduate Vocal Arts Program (Master of Music, Voice and Opera). At Bard, in addition to expanding her operatic and concert experience, she is developed lasting collaborative relationships and explored the extensive art song repertoire. Her honors and awards include:
Donalda Prize from McGill University (June 2010); Mariana Paunova Memorial Scholarship in Voice from McGill University (June 2010); Mariana Paunova Memorial Scholarship in Voice from McGill University (June 2011); E.M. Wirth Scholarship in Music from McGill University (June 2011); University Graduate Scholarship from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (March 2012); Graduate Scholarship from Bard College Conservatory of Music (April 2013).
Known for her vivid and touching vocal performances, Katherine Maysek is an artist equally at home on the stage and in the concert hall. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in Max von Shillings' Mona Lisa with the American Symphony Orchestra (February 2015). Last summer (May-June 2015) she was an Apprentice Artist at Des Moines Metro Opera. During the summer of 2013 she was a vocal fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. In addition to recitals, her performances there included the world premiere of The Years of Light by Christian Mason during the Festival of Contemporary Music, as well as the role of Second Witch in the Mark Morris Dance Group’s production of Dido and Aeneas.
Katherine Maysek's esteem for J.S. Bach began in Montreal as an alto soloist in J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244). Since then she has been repeatedly engaged by the Blanche Moyse Chorale in iconic Marlboro, Vermont, as a soloist in J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) and Mass in B minor (BWV 232). She has also been featured as a soloist in J.S. Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243), George Frideric Handel's Messiah, Schubert's Mass in E-flat Major and Charles Gounod's Requiem in venues throughout the USA.
Katherine Maysek loves the challenge of portraying many vastly different characters, be they within song, oratorio, or opera. Recent operatic roles include Mrs. Grose in Benjamin Britten's The Turn of the Screw, Nerone in L'incoronazione di Poppea, Tirinto in Imeneo, Bradamante in G.F. Handel's Alcina, Véronique in Georges Bizet's Le docteur Miracle, and Cherubino in W.A. Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. This summer, she will return to the Des Moines Metro Opera to cover Meg Page in Verdi’s Falstaff and participate in the Apprentice Artist Program. |