ALLYSSA KEMP

            Lyric Mezzo-Soprano Allyssa Kemp is currently celebrating another successful season of performing in the Austin, Texas area. Most recently Allyssa was a featured artist with Inversion Ensemble, singing as a mezzo soloist in their performance of Timothy C. Takach's a capella choral work, Helios. Allyssa has also spent the last three seasons as alto section leader of the Austin Opera chorus under Cina Crisara and Timothy Myers. Allyssa was invited back to sing a second performance of Marc Hoffeditz's Deborah in Non Motus with One Ounce Opera earlier this spring, performed at KMFA's Draylen Mason Music Studio for KMFA Day.

             Allyssa has spent the last five years in Austin, Texas, performing with professional opera companies as well as choral ensembles. She has sung with Austin Opera as a chorus member for the last five seasons, being the alto section leader for the last three seasons. Allyssa has been with One Ounce Opera for their last two seasons of their annual productions of chamber operas. She performed as Megan B in The Whole Truth written by Robert Paterson and Mark Campbell in 2019, and Deborah in Marc Hoffeditz's Non Motus in both 2020 and 2023. 

             Allyssa also enjoys her time teaching voice and piano at the Velocity Music Academy in Austin, TX area. Allyssa works as a mentor to new incoming teachers and her studio has over 40 singers and pianists across two campuses ranging from 6 years old to 67 years old. Her students are not only learning how to hone their skills but to be strong, competent musicians in all musical genres. Her students have gone on to receive collegiate music scholarships and pursue music at the collegiate level. 

             Prior to moving to Austin, Allyssa spent her time performing and teaching privately in South Eastern Michigan. Allyssa performed Nico Muhly’s "Hymns for Private Use" with the Contemporary Directions Ensemble under the direction of Oriol Sans. Allyssa has also been a featured artist with Detroit-based Opera MODO for multiple productions, performing the title role in Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges, Miles in Benjamin Britten's Turn of the Screw, the title role in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck, Meg Page in Verdi's Falstaff, Nancy in Albert Herring by Britten, and Sprite in Cendrillon by Massenet.

            While working on her graduate studies at the University of Michigan, Allyssa participated in multiple performances, varying from operas to solo appearances. Allyssa was featured as a soloist in the University's Kaprálová Festival, Melodies Françaises concert, performances with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Early Chamber Music Ensemble, Orpheus Singers, and in David Lang's striking work, "The little match girl passion" with the University Choir. Allyssa also played the role of La Ciesca the University's production of Gianni Schicchi and performed in the Opera Workshop's La Clemenza di Tito as Sesto. In February 2016, Allyssa sang in the University of Michigan Workshop's concert performance of Bright Sheng's new opera, Dream of the Red Chamber, which was commissioned for it's world premiere by San Francisco Opera for its 2016/17 season. This performance was recorded and used by the SFO cast for its preparation. On Allyssa's graduate recital, she focused on new and contemporary music, performing the entire work "The Apparition" by George Crumb from memory. Allyssa studied with Professor Freda Herseth, and also had the pleasure to work with multiple professors in their respectable fields such as Kathleen Kelly, Timothy Cheek, Martin Katz, Joseph Gascho, Eugene Rogers, and Robert Swedberg.

            Allyssa was a Studio Artist of the Miami Music Festival's second season, where she performed the title role in Purcell's Dido & Aeneas, Nancy in Flotow's "Spinning Quartet" from Martha, and also covered the title role in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck. During her time there, Allyssa had the fortunate opportunity to work with Stephanie Rhodes, Sergio Puig, and Yuriy Bekker. 

            Allyssa received her Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Music Education at Stetson University as a vocal scholarship student of Professor Emeritus Mollie Rich. She was a frequent artist with Stetson Opera Theatre and the highly regarded Concert Choir as a soloist. Allyssa's solo recitals at the University featured works by Berio, Mozart, Rossini, Brahms, Stravinsky, and Gounod. 

            Allyssa is currently based in Austin, Texas where she teaches and performs in the local area.