Résumé & Bio

          Kelsey Sandefur, soprano, is at the launching point of an exciting career. A Chicago native, Miss Sandefur is a student of Pamela Hinchman and holds a Master of Music degree in Voice and Opera Performance from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. While at Northwestern, she starred as Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Fiordiligi in a virtual production of Così fan tutte, and The Witch in a virtual production of Hansel and Gretel; additionally, she covered the roles of both Mimì in La Bohème and Mother in the Chicago premiere of David T. Little’s Dog Days. Miss Sandefur received her Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and a Minor in Theatre from Ball State University. While there, she studied under the tutelage of Dr. Craig Preibe and performed in five operas, including a portrayal of the role of Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro for which Francesca Levitt, daughter of acclaimed American opera conductor and teacher Fiora Contino, regarded her as the “favorite voice on the stage.”

            Miss Sandefur has twice attended the Chautauqua School of Music’s Virtual Voice Program and has appeared as Marcellina in La Musica Lirica’s 20th Anniversary Opera Festival’s presentation of Le Nozze di Figaro in Novelfeltria, Italy, under the baton of Maestro Pietro Billi with the Ravenna Orchestra. During her time with La Musica Lirica, Miss Sandefur sang in numerous concerts, galas, and operatic productions in sold-out opera theatres throughout Italy, including an opportunity to perform for the Captains Regent of the Republic of San Marino. A versatile artist, she has also sung famous scenes and arias with orchestra in numerous opera galas, including Violetta from La Traviata, Alice from Falstaff, and Zerlina from Don Giovanni.

            Miss Sandefur has attended vocal coachings and performed in master classes with high-level professionals such as the famed Marlena Malas; Maestro Joseph Rescigno; Ubaldo Fabbri, Artistic Director of Voci Nel Montefeltro in Novafeltria, Italy; Donna Loewy from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music; Richard Boldrey from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music; and Tracy Watson of Central Michigan University. Her numerous solo recitals and concert performances have been highly acclaimed by faculty and guests. Miss Sandefur is also an experienced vocal instructor who eagerly offers all students not only instruction on proper technique, but also insights on how to most effectively portray each moment and message within each piece they perform.

              Miss Sandefur sings weekly as a section leader and soloist in Kenilworth Union Church’s Chancel Choir and also sings as a guest soloist and section leader at several other Chicagoland churches. She is currently preparing for the approaching audition season, and she continues to look forward to what will undoubtedly be a fruitful career.