About
Soprano Chelsea Shephard has been praised by Opera News for her “pure leggero soprano--with surprises to come,” and her “rich and vibrant artistry” (The Isthmus). Ms. Shephard’s engagements in the 2018-19 season include soloist in Bernstein’s Songfest with LoftRecital in Minneapolis; soloist in Handel and Bach arias with Madison Bach Musicians; soloist in a Baroque program with Choral Society of the Hamptons; a recital at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts; and soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Jackson Symphony Orchestra in Michigan.
Ms. Shephard's performances during the 2017-2018 season included the title role in a workshop with the Metropolitan Opera of Eurydice by Matthew Aucoin, concert appearances with the New York Festival of Song, and a role debut as Purcell’s Dido with the Madison Bach Musicians. In the summer of 2018, Ms. Shephard performed with the Choral Society of the Hamptons as soloist in Carmina Burana. Engagements in the 2018-19 season include soloist in Bernstein’s Songfest with LoftRecital in Minneapolis; soloist in Handel and Bach arias with Madison Bach Musicians; soloist in a Baroque program with Choral Society of the Hamptons; a recital at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts; and soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Jackson Symphony Orchestra in Michigan.
Other recent engagements include joining the roster of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for their new production of Das Rheingold; her Carnegie Hall debut as the soprano soloist in the Brahms Requiem; a world premiere by Syrian composer Zaid Jabri entitled A Garden Among the Flames, as well as leading and supporting roles with Madison Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, and Haymarket Opera Company, Chicago’s only dedicated Baroque opera company.
Ms. Shephard’s operatic roles include the title role in Cavalli’s La Calisto, the Mozart heroines Pamina, Susanna and Despina, and the wicked stepsister Clorinda in La Cenerentola, among others. Ms. Shephard performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago as a Finalist for the Ryan Opera Center (2015), and was also a Finalist for Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition (2016). As a Principal Artist with Madison Opera, she performed Beth in Adamo’s Little Women. Prior to this, as a 2014-2015 Studio Artist, Ms. Shephard covered Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Marzelline in Fidelio, and sang Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia in April 2015, all under the baton of Maestro John DeMain.
In her young career, Ms. Shephard has performed hundreds of concerts with organizations such as the New York Festival of Song (at Caramoor, North Fork, and their Mainstage), on tour with fortepianist Trevor Stephenson for CD release recitals of her debut album, “Songs by Mozart, Haydn & Schubert,” and with The Madison Bach Musicians for performances of works by Handel, Rameau, and Bach. She has also appeared with The Chicago Bach Ensemble, in recital with Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, and has performed with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Ms. Shephard has joined internationally acclaimed composer/pianist Eric Genuis on several U.S. concert tours.
Ms. Shephard won first prize in the following competitions: the Handel Aria Competition in Madison, WI (2014), The Schubert Club Bruce P. Carlson Competition in St. Paul, MN (2013), and the National Opera Association Vocal Competition in San Antonio, TX (2011). She has also appeared as a finalist in the following competitions: Jensen Foundation Competition in NYC (2014), The Union League Civic & Arts Club of Chicago (2013), and the Bel Canto Foundation of Chicago (2012).
A native of Paw Paw, Michigan, Ms. Shephard earned her Master of Music from Rice University where she studied with Kathleen Kaun, Jan De Chambrier and Richard Bado. She attended DePaul University for her Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, under the tutelage of Jane Bunnell, Susanne Mentzer and Harry Silverstein.