|
The American soprano Misty Ann Sturm (née Castleberry), studied piano privately in Marietta, Gerogia (1982-1995) and again in Rochester, New York (1996-1998). She had studied at Kennesaw State University near Atlanta (1994-1996), before moving to New York to attend the Eastman School of Music, where she earned both her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance (August 1996-May 2000, graduated with high honours) and Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature (August 2000-May 2003). During her time in Rochester, she performed in many productions with Eastman Opera Theatre, including the roles of Clara in Passion (2000), Miles in The Turn of the Screw (2000), Cissie Woodger in Albert Herring (1998) and Laura in The Goblin Market (2000). Her scholastic honours include: Governor’s Honors Program, Valdosta, GA (Summer 1994), Academic Dean’s List (August 1996-May 2000), Lois Smith Rogers Scholar, Eastman School of Music (August 1996-May 2000). She also attended master-classes with Richard Bado, William McGraw, Warren Jones, and Benton Hess.
A specialist in the music of Kurt Weill, Misty Ann Sturm sang the soubrette role in Mahogonny Songspiel at the Kurt Weill Festival in 1998. On several occasions, she has been invited to present recitals of Kurt Weill’s music in Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center after winning in 2004 first place in the Lotte Lenya Competition for Singers, a competition that recognizes excellence in the performance of music for the theater, in its broadest sense, including opera, operetta, and American musical theatre.
Equally proficient in oratorio, Misty Ann Sturm sang both the St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) and St. John Passion (BWV 245) (both under William Weinert, in 2000 and 2002 respectively), as well as Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass (under Judith Willoughby, 2002) and the Haydn’s Harmonie Messe, (under William Weinert, 2004) J.S. Bach’s Cantata BWV 140 Wachet auf, (under Hans-Michael Beuerle, 2001) Mozart’s Mass in C minor (under Daniel Bara, 2001) and the Mozart’s Requiem (under Judith Willoughby, 2000). She has performed the role of Lily in The Secret Garden at the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and with the Atlanta Lyric Theatre (2004). She travelled to California where she sang the premiere of The Baseball Music Project with the Bakersfield Symphony and she was featured soloist in performances of this work with both the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Houston Symphony Orchestra in July 2006.
Misty Ann Sturm has been twice featured in recital with jazz and ragtime pianist Tony Caramia and has sung back-up for Bobby McFerrin. Her voice can also be heard on several current television commercials advertising Lunesta, Metro Health Hospitals and Combos. |
