Fran Coleman, soprano

Owner and teacher

Fran Coleman earned her first Bachelor’s degree in Classical Vocal Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University. While there, she performed several solo recitals, sung in The Madrigalists, and also played the role of Marcellina in select scenes from Mozart’s, “The Marriage of Figaro”.

After completing her degree, Fran received her second Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Longwood University. There she gained great experience through solo recitals, guest conducting, and completing her student teaching. Most recently, she graduated with her Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and began her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance. During her time at Shenandoah, Fran has performed numerous solo recitals and award winning performances through NATS. She has also studied many roles including Gilda, in Verdi’s “Rigoletto”, Anna in Verdi’s “Falstaff”, and Suzel in Mascagni’s “L’Amico Fritz”. Most recently, Fran sang the role of Mrs. Fiorentino in Shenandoah Opera Theatre’s production of “Street Scene” by Kurt Weill.

Outside of her academic accomplishments, Fran has sung with the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Opera, The Washington Chorus, the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and most recently at the Basilica Shrine in DC for the AGO Convention.

This season, Fran will sing with Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia and with the 7Sopranos. This Easter she will be the soprano soloist for Handel's Messiah at Clarendon United Methodist Church. Fran will also be teaching private lessons at her own studio, Songbird's Studio, LLC; for CYT and for The Chester performing Arts Studio in Chester, VA

In addition to her Classical singing abilities, Fran is also an accomplished composer and recording artist. She has toured the East Coast opening for such national acts as, The Derek Trucks Band, JGB, and The Wailers. Fran also performs regularly around the United States with a jazz trio.

Fran hails in Midlothian, VA

Resume

EDUCATION
Doctorate of Musical Arts, Vocal Performance Anticipated Graduation: July 2012
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA
GPA:

Master of Music, Vocal Performance Graduated: December 2009
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA
GPA: 3.9

Bachelor of Music, Music Education – Vocal/Choral Graduated: December 2006
Longwood University, Farmville, VA
GPA: 3.8

Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance Graduated: May 2005
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
GPA: 3.4

SOLO PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Handel’s Messiah
Clarendon United Methodist Church April 2011
• Performed as the Soprano soloist Reily Lewis, conductor

Opera Scenes Performance February 2011
Westminster Music and Arts, Bethesda, MD
• Performed the role of “Suzanna” from “Le Nozze Figaro”

Outreach Opera Program August 2010 – Present
Aurora Opera, Arlington, VA
• Performed as soprano in “Operamania!”

Opera Workshop August 2009 – Present
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA
•Study the role of “Mrs. Fiorentino” from “Street Scene”
•Study the role of “Gilda” in selections from “Rigoletto”
•Study the role of “Suzel” in selections from “L’Amico Fritz”

Solo Recital
April 2009
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA November 2010
- Doctoral recital

November 2009
•Two Full Graduate Recitals

Solo Recital
April 2006
Longwood University, Farmville, VA
•Half Undergraduate Recital

Opera Workshop August 2004 – May 2005
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
•Studied the role of “Marcellina” in selections from “The Marriage of Figaro”
•Performed in chorus of “The Marriage of Figaro” full production
•Rehearse secco and accompanied recitative
•Practice stage movement and interaction

Solo Recital
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
•Full Undergraduate Recital
May 2005
•Half Undergraduate Recital
May 2004


CHORAL PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Chorus Member
November 2010
The washington Chorus;
Rachmaninoff "Vespers" at The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC July 2010
The Washington Chorus; AGO Convention at Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington, DC
•Performed “Psalm 123” by David Hurd (Commissioned for AGO Convention 2010)

Chorus Member
June 2010
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra & Washington Chorus; Meyerhoff Hall, Baltimore, Md
•Performed “Brahm’s Reqiuem” in conert for general public

Chorus Member March 2010
National Symphony Orchestra & Washington Chorus; Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
•Performed “Verdi’s Requiem” in concert for general public

Chorus Member/Section Leader
August 2009 – Present
Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA
•Perform regular public concerts
•Record sessions on a regular basis
•Aid in voice part assistance
•Perform classical music utilizing proper vocal technique

Chorus Member/Section Leader
May 2004 – July 2009
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA
•Performed regular public concerts
•Recorded sessions on a regular basis
•Aided in voice part assistance
•Performed classical music utilizing proper vocal technique

Chorus Member August 2008 – May 2009
Virginia Opera, Norfolk, VA
•Performed dynamic and exciting productions
•Studied, memorized, and interpreted music and words
•Practiced and rehearsed songs and musical acts
•Performed in public

Chorus Member
May 2006
Richmond Symphony, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Choir, Richmond, VA
•Performed “Sacred Space” concert for general public


ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Large Ensemble
April 2006

Longwood University, Farmville, VA
•Jazz Orchestra

Large and Small Ensemble
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
•Small Jazz Ensemble August 2004 – May 2005
•Jazz Orchestra I
May 2005
•Jazz Orchestra II December 2004


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Vocal Professor January 2011 – Present
• Christopher Newport University, Newport News VA

Owner/ Private Voice Instructor July 2010 – Present
• Songbird’s Studio, LLC, Midlothian, VA

Musical Director/Vocal Coach
• Chester Performing Arts Studio July 2010 – Present
• CYT Richmond September 2009 – Present
Private Voice Instructor
March 2008 – Present
•Da Capo, VA
•The Academy of Music, Richmond, VA
•Wholesale Guitars, Midlothian, VA
•Music World, Colonial Heights, VA

Chorus Teacher August 2007 – June 2009
Colonial Heights Public School, Colonial Heights, VA
•Led students ages 12-18 in public school chorus curriculum
•Incorporated all genres of music into concert performance through school year
•Utilized all vocal technique education in leading group rehearsals
•Ability to achieve clear tone and proper articulation from school age students

ENDORSEMENTS/LICENSES
VA Professional Teaching License; Music Endorsement K-12/Choral
Valid through June 30, 2012

HONORS/AWARDS
National Association of Teachers of Singers (NATS) Local and Regional Winner 2004, 2008, 2010

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing)
2010

Music Educators National Conference (MENC) member
2007 – 2009

American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) member
2007 – 2009

SKILLS
Proficient in singing Italian, French, German, English, Latin, Spanish
Advanced knowledge of music theory and pedagogy


REFERENCES

Charlotte Nelson Aiosa, D.M.A.
Professor of Music
Shenandoah Conservatory
(540) 665-4580
caiosa@su.edu
Governor, NATS Mid-Atlantic Region


Dr. Sue Marsden Boyd
Professor of Piano Accompanying
Shenandoah Conservatory
(540) 877-1948
sboyd@su.edu


Grant Hellmers
Organist, Choral Director
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
804-353-5236
Grant.hellmers@gmail.com