Education
- BM, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, 1983
- MM in voice, University of Cincinnati, 1985
- MM in piano, University of Cincinnati, 1985
- Additional studies at the Konservatorium und Musik Hochschule, Zürich, Switzerland, and the Hochschule für Musik, Vienna, Austria
Biography
Noted soprano soloist Kendra Colton has performed with the Boston, Indianapolis, Houston, National, Pittsburgh and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras; the Cleveland and Minnesota Orchestras, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
The 1983 Oberlin graduate originally trained as a pianist. She didn’t start studying voice until her second year at Oberlin. She is adept at a wide range of repertoire, and has developed a niche in oratorio and sacred works from Bach to Brahms, has given acclaimed performances of Handel and Mozart operas, and is recognized for her interpretation of contemporary chamber music and championing of little-known works written in the last century.
In 2013, Colton joined forces with longtime collaborator and former Oberlin classmate Kayo Iwama to record the remarkable set of songs by Welsh composer Andy Vores in Oberlin’s Clonick Hall and recording studio. Iwama is associate director of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at the Bard College Conservatory of Music. Their collaboration led to the recording, The Reckless Heart (2015) on the Oberlin Music label.
She has performed oratorio, opera and orchestral works that have included Mozart’s Il Re Pastore (Aminta) for Boston Lyric Opera and Handel’s Tolomeo (Seleuce) at the International Handel Festival in Göttingen, Germany.
Performances of Bach’s B Minor Mass, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, and Christmas Oratorio; Handel’s Messiah, Solomon, and Saul oratorios; M
Awards and Recognition
- Naumberg Competition, Concert Artists Guild, Young Concert Artists (Finalist)
- Alfredo Kraus International Singing Concours (Second Place)
- New York Metropolitan Opera Auditions (First Place, Milwaukee and Cincinnati)
- National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Auditions (Third Place, National Finals)
Premiere Performances
A partial listing of premiere performances include the following:
- World premieres of John Harbison’s Aria (Song for a Rainy Day)
- Andy Vores’ Uncertainty is Beautiful and The Reckless Heart
- Mass for a Sacred Place by Stephen Paulus
- Martin Boykan’s Sea Gardens.
Recordings
- Lukas Foss Griffelkin, Boston Modern Orchestra Project (Chandos)
- J.S. Bach Cantata arias, BSO oboist Wayne Rapier (Boston Records)
- J.S. Bach St. John Passion, Emmanuel Music (Koch)
- J.S. Bach Cantatas BWV 133, 76, Emmanuel Music (Koch)
- Tomiko Kojibah Transmigration of the Soul, Santa Fe Chamber Music (Stereophile)
- Joseph Marx He Brought Me Roses, 25 Lieder, Laura Ward, pianist
- Le Charme, 24 chansons by Fauré, Debussy, Poulenc, and Chausson, Laura Ward, pianist
- The Reckless Heart, Kendra Colton, soprano and Kayo Iwama, piano; Boston Celebrity Series, Oberlin Music label
Teaching Background
- Boston University
- Walnut Hill School for the performing arts
- Phillips Exeter Academy
- Wisconsin Conservatory of Music