Regina McConnell, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, is a soprano who has performed to critical acclaim throughout the Eastern United States and Europe. Her artistry has been called "superb" by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "spectacular," and "gracefull and intense" by The Washington Post. Mrs. McConnell began her undergraduate musical training at the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Music in voice from the University of Maryland in College Park, and her master of Music in voice from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. A winner of many awards, including thee Great Lakes Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, the Marian Anderson Award, and the Center for Contemporary Opera Award, she has performed extensively in opera, recital, and oratorio. Mrs. McConnell has appreared as a soloist with respected orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. Her operatic career includes roles with the Great Lakes Erie Opera Theater, the Annapolis Opera, Washington Civic Opera, and singing of the role of Serena in the American and European tour of the Sherwin Goldman Landmark production of Porgy and Bess at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Highlights of her operatic engagements include working with Gian-Carlo Menotti in the world premiere of The Egg, and appearances at Teatro Vittoria Emanuelle in Messina, Italy, the Deutsches Theater in Munich, and the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Sicily. She has recorded for both Dante and Centaur Records and has lectured extensively on "The Art Songs of Harry T. Burleigh" at La Sorbonne in Paris, the University of London, the University of Northern iowa, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Strathmore Hall, and Old Dominion University. Mrs. McConnell is on the voice faculty of the Catholic University of America. She is a member of the national Association of Teachers of Singing, International African-to-American Music Society, and the National Association of Negro Musicians.
Art Songs of Harry T. Burleigh
