Local opera singer and vocal instructor Melina Moore is spreading her wings, and her coloratura soprano voice, with invitations coming in to sing both around the province and worldwide.
Moore, who is based in Vernon, has a full plate for the 2011-2012 season and just finished a sold-out concert tour on Vancouver Island, with the Victoria Summer Symphony and Choir.
She was featured as the guest soprano soloist with maestro Simon Leung, performing to full houses in Victoria, Nanaimo, Sidney and Duncan throughout July and August.
“I loved spending time on the island and introducing new repertoire to West Coast audiences,” said Moore. “I could certainly see myself living and performing in Victoria in the future.”
While she loved the charm and bustle of B.C.’s capital, she plans to make her home and studio in Vernon for years to come, but also has some exciting touring plans for the future.
The producers of the Vancouver Island concerts have extended an invite to Moore to perform in Thailand, Vietnam and Saigon in 2012 and 2013.
For those who wonder how Moore manages to keep up with a schedule that includes a burgeoning solo opera career, the mentoring of many aspiring singers, as well as raising her own budding young star, son Justin Moore, 11, she says it’s about having passion and faith, and believing in everything she does.
“I believe that I am only successful as a teacher because I live what I teach, every time I step onto a stage,” she said. “I teach from experience and from my heart. And I have unwavering faith in the universe and its plans for me. I am just a vessel for what needs to be expressed through me in what I do.”
Locally, Moore will again share the stage with the Okanagan Symphony for the Mozart Requiem in early November.
“What a thrill to sing this epic musical work with the OSO and a choir of over 100 voices. I am so honoured,” she said.
And she will continue to make regular appearances as the “Diva on the Hill” at Sparkling Hill Wellness Resort.
“The concert series we began in 2010 has been so successful. Plus, I just love shattering the crystals with the high notes,” she laughed.
Moore also continues seasonal engagements with Venus Headlights, a trio made up of local jazz diva Judy Rose and singer-songwriter Tanya Lipscomb.
The female powerhouse ensemble performs for a third time at Vernon’s Headbones Gallery this Friday.
“Venus Headlights has been one of the single-most inspiring and creative performance experiences I’ve ever been part of. Working with Tanya and Judy in their unique styles of music pushes me to new heights in my own artistry,” said Moore, who returns to her hometown of New York City in the New Year for recital engagements.
Along with her busy performance schedule, Moore’s vocal training and performance studio, Valley Vocal Arts, is about to embark on its 16th year in the Okanagan.
Not only will she be conducting classes, Moore will be directing her troupe to the Powerhouse Theatre stage for their third annual full-scale musical production.
“With the successes of Les Miserables in 2010 and The Producers last spring, it is clear that the valley clamors for more live theatre. I am so happy to oblige and bring Broadway quality work to our local audiences,” she said. “This is the first year I will be including all of my singers in our main-stage musical: the Mini Divas, Company Junior and Company. The show will be announced soon, and it is going to be the most challenging we’ve done to date.”
With a roster of close to 80 singers of all ages, Moore and her students are also gearing up for a busy and exciting studio season.
Not only will they deliver monthly recitals, but there will also be cabaret nights, kids’ productions and the second annual Melina & Co. Christmas Show at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Dec. 10.
“By the time June rolls around each year, I am exhausted, but thoroughly fulfilled,” she said.
Fans can follow Moore’s solo performance and studio schedules on her website at www.melinamoore.com.
