Kimberly Upcraft-Russ |
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Kimberly Upcraft-Russ, soprano Kimberly Upcraft-Russ enjoys a reputation as a versatile artist, equally at home with the music of Handel as with the music of the late 20th century. While in Rochester, she has performed leading roles with the Eastman Opera Theatre, including Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw and Angelica in Suor Angelica and was also a featured soloist with the Eastman Philharmonia in performances of Strauss’ Vier Letzte Lieder under the baton of Mendi Rodan. Other operatic portrayals include such varied roles as Zita in Gianni Schicchi and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. In fall 2008 Ms. Upcraft-Russ was featured as Berta in Mercury Opera of Rochester's production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. She also appeared as the soprano soloist with the Nazareth College Choirs and Orchestra in Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony. In 2010, Ms. Upcraft-Russ will be featured as Annina in Mercury Opera Rochester's mounting of La Traviata, as Fiordiligi in Nazareth College Opera production of Cosí fan tutte and as a recitalist in concerts celebrating the Schumann year. Upcraft-Russ performed as the soprano soloist for performances of Verdi’s Requiem at Nazareth College with the Rochester Philharmonic, Murray Sidlin conducting. Other oratorio appearances in Rochester and elsewhere have included performances of Schubert's Mass in G Major, Beethoven’s Symphony #9 with the SUNY Geneseo Orchestra and Chorus, Saints-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Gloria and both Faure and Durufle’s Requiem. Ms. Upcraft-Russ has studied voice with Robert McIver, Ellen Linton, Dale Moore and Patrick Mason. Conductors and coaches with whom she has worked include Benton Hess, Russell Miller, John Greer, Jean Barr, Murray Sidlin, and Mendi Rodhan. She has performed in masterclasses with Wesley Balk, prestigious bass Giorgio Tozzi, noted director Colin Graham, and pedagogue Richard Miller. Directors she has worked with include Steven Daigle and David Holley. Upcraft-Russ is currently an adjunct professor of voice at Nazareth College. Previously, she has been on the faculties of SUNY Fredonia and the Eastman Community Music School. Dr. Upcraft-Russ received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and Literature and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, the Master of Music in Voice Performance from University of North Carolina in Greensboro and the Bachelor of Music in Music Education from SUNY at Fredonia. |