Corona Sérénades: Q&A with Katie Miller, mezzo-soprano (Canada)

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Katie Miller, mezzo-soprano (Canada), singer for Corona Sérénades

Katie began her musical journey competing as a young pianist and on stage as part of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble. She studied piano and voice as an undergraduate and earned a masters of music in opera performance from the University of British Columbia in 2015. In 2013 Katie finished first in the vocal category at the National Music Festival in Waterloo, Ontario, and obtained a young artist’s encouragement award at the Metropolitan Opera Western Canadian district auditions. In the summer of 2014, Katie studied at the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with soprano Michèle Crider and mezzo-soprano Marjana Lipovsek and won second prize in the program’s Richard Strauss competition. In 2015 Katie won a concert engagement in Japan from the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Competition in Montreal. Katie was engaged as a young artist in residence at Opéra de Montréal for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. Since graduation she has performed with Vancouver Island Opera, the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Opera Guadalajara, Orquesta sinfonica de Zapopan, Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Orchestre Symphonique de Longueuil, Orchestre Symphonique de L’Agora and the Opéra de Montréal. Outside of the classical and operatic stage Katie sings Mariachi music, sings and plays piano bar music at various events and teaches voice, piano and ukulele.

How has the crisis affected you?

Like all artists, entrepreneurs and many other people, my professional situation has been negatively impacted. One positive in all this horror is that it has forced us all to be extremely innovative. But aside from that it has affected the arts and community in a very sad way. Virtual communication and experience can only replace so much.

Who are your favorite composers?

It is impossible for me to choose favourites as I could pick a few from every genre possible. On the classical front, however, I find I am well suited to sing Mozart. My dream role is Cendrillon from Massenet’s Cendrillon.

What is the best thing you’ve cooked or baked in quarantine?

I was recently making spaghetti and had no tomato sauce or paste in the house, so I blended up three quarters of a tomato and a few other ingredients I had on hand. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked out.

Why did you join CORONA Serenades?

I believe that it is a great concept to offer the public and a great way to keep artists connected.

Katie Miller Corona Serenades Repertoire

Opera Rep:

Voyez dans la nuit brune, Fantasio, Offenbach
Voi che sapete, Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart
Faites-lui mes aveux, Faust, Gounod
Vois sous l’archet fremissant, Les contes d’Hoffmann, Offenbach
Lettre, Mozart (title of the work), Reynaldo Hahn
(I have some other opera arias that are less cheery, perhaps not the most appropriate for these serenades)

Art Song: