Mezzo-Soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis: Mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis most recently created the role of the Ernie Higgins Band Jazz Singer in the world premiere of Libby Larsen's new American opera Picnic (April 2009) with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Opera Theatre. In October of 2008, Ms. Lewis reprised the title role in Carmen with Capitol Opera Raleigh, a role which she debuted with Asheville Lyric Opera in 2005. Of that debut, Martha A. Fawbush (Asheville Citizen-Times) commended Ms. Lewis' voice for filling the hall with "stunning vocal power" and for moving "effortlessly from laughing flirtation to...Carmen's fiery emotional reactions." Other recent operatic roles include Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Asheville Lyric Opera, Mansfield Symphony, Central Georgia Opera Guild), Hansel in Hansel and Gretel (Connecticut Opera; Greensboro Opera), The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors(Opera Carolina; Connecticut Opera), Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus(Greensboro Opera), Florain La Traviata (Piedmont Opera), the Page in Salome (The Opera Company of North Carolina; Connecticut Opera), and Papagena in The Magic Flute (Houston Ebony Opera).
On the concert stage, Ms. Lewis most recently appeared with the Greensboro Symphony as the Mezzo Soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. She has also appeared as the Mezzo Soloist in The Messiah with the Greensboro Oratorio Society and as a soloist with The Opera Company of North Carolina in their popular "Evening of Carolina Voices" concert. In addition, Ms. Lewis has performed in concert with her duo group Eleganza (www.EleganzaMusic.net). Recent engagements for Eleganza include performances/lectures on the lyceum series at Mount Olive College, NCA&T State University, Concord University, Johnson C. Smith University, and the Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church Concert Series.
A recipient of several prestigious vocal competition prizes, the mezzo soprano’s awards include First Prize in the 2007 Heafner-Williams Vocal Competition and Second Prize in the 2004 Connecticut Opera Guild Competition. Ms. Lewis is a native of Greensboro, NC and can be found on www.rcamweb.com and www.CheryseMcLeodLewis.com.
