Cynthia Cole Cynthia Cole, a full lyric soprano, is the founder and artistic director of the 7 Sopranos.
Cynthia has performed in opera, musical theater, recitals and oratorio in the Virginia/DC area as well as Fairbanks, Alaska; North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia and Italy. In 2005 – 2007, she was a finalist in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Voice Achievement / Adult Division Award. After graduating with a music degree from Mars Hill College, NC., she attended Sessionie senese per la musica e l’ Arte, Siene, Italia, the University of Washington, WN, and Kent State University, Ohio for graduate study. Cynthia has also attended and performed with the Fairbanks Fine Arts Festival; Crittenden Opera Workshop Company; Opera International, DC.; and George Washington University Opera Theater, DC.
In 2007, Cynthia created the 7 Sopranos ensemble to perform classical programs which weave arias and songs together into a kaleidoscope of sight and sound. We draw inspiration from comedy and drama, secular and religious music. The result is a powerful performance and uniquely engaging experience. Our passion is for the audience to enjoy and have as much fun listening as we have performing. Adrienne D. Neal Soprano, Adrienne D. Neal, is among the new genre of artists from the Washington, DC area. She has delighted audiences with her appearances with the Aria Club of Greater Washington from the 2002 to present seasons including her most recent role of Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. In the 2005 season, Ms. Neal debuted with Bel Cantanti as the Sandman in Hänsel and Gretel. She has also appeared as a guest artist with the Maryland Opera Society in their Annual Christmas Gala for the 2001 and 2002 seasons and has been presented in recital at the Charles Sumner School Museum. Through her affiliations with the Crittenden Opera Studio, she performed scenes from Don Giovanni (Zerlina), The Dialogues of the Carmelites (Sister Constance), La Rondine (Lisette), and The Old Maid and the Thief (Leticia). She is a former member of The Master Chorale of Washington (formerly The Paul Hill Chorale); she was a soloist at Luther Place Lutheran Church, Washington, DC and is currently on the musical staff of Asbury United Methodist Church of Washington, DC. Ms. Neal’s vocal abilities have been recognized by a number of organizations. In 2005 she was a finalist in the Paul Robeson Vocal Competition sponsored by the Urban Philharmonic. In 1997 she won second place in the Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition sponsored by the Washington Chapter of the Century Club, in 2003 she was awarded the third place in the Gretchen M. Hood Vocal Competition, and in 2004 she was a semi-finalist in the Maryland Opera Society’s Marie Crump Vocal Competition. A graduate of the University of the District of Columbia, Ms. Neal has studied with Jane White, Dr. Kay Song, and Nelda Ormond. She is currently studying under the auspices of Shirley Taylor-Moore. Natalie Barrens Natalie Barrens is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has performed the role of Tituba in Robert Ward’s The Crucible where she worked with Mr. Ward, Second Lady in the The Magic Flute, Proskovia in Franz Lehar’s the Merry Widow, as well as part of the Second Prisoner in the North American premiere of Bruno Rigacci’s Ecuba , she has also performed the roles of Oberto in Handel’s Alcina and Illia in Mozart’s opera Idomeneo as part of the California Music Festival in 2004 and 2005. Ms. Barrens has also performed in various roles ranging from Lakmé to Fiordiligi. In addition to numerous appearances in the Northern California, New York , Western Massachusetts and Philadelphia areas, Ms. Barrens has given recitals in her native Albuquerque. Ms. Barrens, who currently studies with Taina Kataja at Rutgers University, has worked with such operatic giants as Martina Arroyo and Mignon Dunn. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas (BA) and received her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. Nicole Lamm Nicole Lamm, soprano, received her Master of Music decree in Vocal Performance at Catholic University of America while studying with Sharon Christman. She has also received extensive training with the Crittenden Opera Workshops and the International Vocal Arts Institute where she studied with some of the world’s most renowned conductors, coaches, and singers. Over the years she has sung with Opera Roanoke, Maryland Opera Society, Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute, La Fabbrica, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, New York Opera Society, Master Works Choral, and Catholic University of America. She has performed throughout the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, San Francisco, Hawii, and New York City as well as internationally in Italy, France, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Her operatic roles consist of Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Adina (L'elisir d'amore), Mimì (La Bohème), Laurie (The Tender Land), Monica (The Medium), and Ms. Pinkerton (The Old Maid and the Thief). Nicole has also been teaching voice lessons, performance practice, music theory and diction at Dance Etc School of the Performing arts for the past seven years. Her studio is comprised of some impressive singers both teenagers and adults. She enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge of singing and performance practices with her students. To learn more about Nicole Lamm or to book an event/schedule a voice lesson, visit www.nicolelamm.com.  Mary Ann EastLyric Coloratura and Choral Conductor, Mary Ann East, received undergraduate training at Indiana University where she studied voice under Klara Barlow, conducting under Michael Schwartzkopf, and music education under Mary Goetze and the late Jean Sinor. Mary Ann spent the beginning of her career as a public school choral director in Fairfax County, Virginia. She has taught all levels of music leading her choirs to many awards around the country. Mary Ann received her Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting at George Mason University where she is currently adjunct faculty in the Music Education Department. While at GMU she performed the roles of Suor Dolcina in George Mason Opera Theatre's production of Puccini's Suor Angelica, Cathleen in Vaughn Williams’ Riders to the Sea, and Queen of the Night in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. Mary Ann also received training in Salzburg, Austria, is a featured soloist with Washington Women’s Chorus, Donald Richardson, Artistic Director, maintains a small voice and piano studio, and is the Music Director at Unitarian universalist Church in Reston, Virginia. Mary Ann resides in Aldie, Virginia with her husband, new baby daughter, and beagle. Jennifer PaschalJennifer Paschal is a lyric soprano with a warm,pure voice described as “angelic.” She has cultivated her diverse vocal talents as a soloist and choral singer even while completing her doctorate in psychology and throughout her career as a management consultant. Jennifer is thrilled to be returning full time to her first love, vocal performance, and brings a renewed passion and presence to the stage. Jennifer possesses a broad repertoire that includes sacred, classical, opera, standards, and jazz music genres. She currently performs with the Arlington Opera Ensemble, which strives to make opera accessible to the public. During Fall 2009, Jennifer will perform the lead role of Miriam in “The Book of Daniel,” an opera by composer Richard Rose, with the Marginal Notes Concert Opera Ensemble. Jennifer also performs as a soloist in engagements throughout the Washington, DC area and beyond.
Among her choral credits, she currently sings with critically acclaimed early music ensembles Carmina and Illuminare. Previously, she performed with Albany Pro Musica, including a concert aired on National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Jennifer also sang with the Emmy Award-winning Master Chorale of Washington. She was featured in a quintet in a performance of Play! A Video Game Symphony with the National Symphony at Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center, and she garnered “kudos” from the Washington Post for an octet performance of “Hallelu” in the
2007 Candlelight Christmas Concerts at the Kennedy Center.
A native of upstate New York, she gained early recognition as a promising vocal talent and received the Frances Vecchio Memorial Music Award in recognition of her achievements upon graduation from Hamilton Central High School. Jennifer continued her career at Fredonia School of Music, where she studied voice under the tutelage of Dr. Donald Lang. She has studied with Frances Pallozzi, Artist-in-Residence with the University at Albany Music Department; with touring soprano Christine Schadeberg; and she currently studies with Angela Powell, a renowned performer and voice teacher active in the Washington, D.C. arts community. Eunyoung HongSoprano, Eunyoung Hong, native of Korea, has received her Master’s Degree in Indiana University of Bloomington. At present, she is a DMA candidate at Catholic University Benjamin T. Rome School of Music studying with Sharon Christman and Rick Christman.
Ms. Hong has been heard in “Carmen”, “Madama Butterfly” and “La Traviata” as a member of apprentice program in Korea. Roles include both Fiordiligi and Dorabella from “Cosi fan tutte,” Pamina from “Die Zauberflöte” and Sophie from “Der Rosenkavalier.”
She has performed as First lady of “Die Zauberflöte” in Bethesda Summer Music Festival(2008) and participated in Music Fest Perugia in Italy of 2008 singing for public television. Ms.Hong has also attended master class by foremost tenor Luigi Alva while she is in Festival. She was a professional member of Master Choral of Washington 2007. Soprano Eunyoung Hong also has musically and technically trained in Crittenden Opera Studio in 2009 and has performed roles of Semiramide, Frasquita and first friend from “Semiramide”, “Carmen” and “The Ballade of Baby Doe”. In the Summer of 2009 Ms. Hong participated in Bethesda Summer Music Festival and sang Susanna from “Le nozze di Figaro.” She had solo recitals in U.S and Korea. She joined as a soloist in numerous concerts. She has an upcoming performance as a Countess from “Le nozze di Figaro” at The Catholic University Benjamin T. Rome School in 2009 She is managing a voice studio, helping teenagers and adults in her studio. She resides in Lanham in Maryland. Susanna R. LauerSusanna R. Lauer, a Washington, D.C. native, graduated from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University with a BM in Vocal Performance, where she studied with Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Vrenios. Ms. Lauer attended West Virginia University where she graduated with a Master’s in Vocal Performance. Ms. Lauer just returned from Hannover, Germany where she was studying intensive German and German Operatic Repertoire. Ms. Lauer currently studies with Neil Semer in New York City. Other programs she has attended include, Boston University at Tanglewood and The American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria where she sang the role of Musetta in excerpts from La Bohème with concerts in Vienna and Graz. Roles she has sung in English are Mrs. Nolan, The Medium at Catholic; and Lady Billows, Albert Herring at West Virginia, where she also sang Fiordiligi, Cosi fan tutte. She has won first place awards at competitions held by the NATS and the Folger Shakespeare Theater. At age 16 she became focused on a musical career after singing the title role in the Washington Opera’s North American premier of Brundibar, a children’s opera. Ms. Lauer enjoys working with young people, and has directed musicals and operas and enjoys teaching privately. Ms. Lauer is a full member of the NATS, the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Ms. Lauer is excited to be back in her hometown of Washington DC, which has an energized opera scene. To contact Ms. Lauer about voice lessons or to learn more about her please visit her website at www.SusannaReckordRaymer.com  Angeli Ferrette Angeli Ferrette was born in Washington, DC. Her interest in music began at the tender age of 3, when her mother would ask her to sing with her for church services. From there she was groomed to be a leader of music for her church. She was also very active in her school choir. Her junior high choir director, the late Mrs. Anita Jones, encouraged her to audition for the local arts high school Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She was accepted and this is where her classical training began. These are the years where she was exposed to jazz, classical and opera music. When she first heard the voice of the great Leontyne Price that was when she knew she wanted to seriously pursue a career in vocal performance. Most of her performance experience, at Ellington, was with the Show Choir. She had opportunities to work with Denyce Graves on her Christmas at the National Cathedral Special & on one of her recitals. While attending Ellington she performed on many occasions at the Kennedy Center. Angeli has also traveled to the Caribbean and to Europe for performance purposes. She has also been called to perform, locally, at different churches. She received her BM at the University of Northern Iowa under the instruction of Dr. Darryl Taylor. While there she showed an interest in the theatre and performed the role of “Topsey” in I ‘Anit Your Uncle and the role of “Roach” in Slaughter House. She also performed with the institution’s opera workshop as “Pamina” in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and as a chorus member in Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land. In addition, she became one of the first members of the George Walker society which is the University of Northern Iowa’s chapter of The National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM). Being a part of this organization not only allowed her the opportunity to perform, she also participated in master classes taught by Shirley Verrett and Mark Rucker. After Graduation she went to the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. There, she received a Graduated Performance Diploma in voice. At Peabody she was a soloist in the Peabody Singer’s and she participated in the opera workshop department doing opera scenes. The year of her graduation she was honored to be the first vocalist to perform in the Peabody Deans Honor’s Recital. She recently made her debut with the role of Second Lady in Handel’s Solomon for The City Choir of Washington’s debut, in which she received great reviews. She is currently a member of the Hines-Lee Opera Ensemble, appears in recital’s and other engagement’s, domestic and abroad. With continuous study she is always hungry to learn more about her craft.  Bharati Soman Virginia native, Bharati Soman, recently returned to the East Coast after six years in Northern California. Described as having a “lovely, ornamented soprano” and praised for her “silken renderings of Mozart’s legato arias,” she performed leading roles with companies throughout Northern California. Repertoire includes Mimì (La Bohème), and the title roles in Madame Butterfly and Semele with Pocket Opera, Hanna Glawari (The Merry Widow) with Livermore Valley Opera, Diana in (Emperor Norton) with California Chamber Opera, the Countess (The Marriage of Figaro) with Cinnabar Theater, and Zerlina (Don Giovanni) with Sacramento Opera. Other repertoire includes Léïla (Les pêcheurs de perles), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), and Yum-Yum (The Mikado).
Also active as a concert soloist, Bharati has performed works with the UC Davis Symphony, Kensington Symphony Orchestra, Camellia Symphony Orchestra, and given recitals for Oakland Lyric Opera. In addition to performing, Bharati was on the voice faculty at UC Davis for three years, and currently maintains a private studio in Falls Church, VA. She holds a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University, and a Master of Music and Performer Diploma from Indiana University. You can learn more about Bharati at www.bharatisoman.com .  Ruth Locker, Pianist
Award winning pianist Ruth Locker made her debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony at age 13. The Pittsburgh Concert Society, Carnegine Awards, Passamaneck Award, Garrigues Award, and Obenshain Award are but few of the honors she has Received. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Ruth began a career of diverse perfomances including solo recitals, concertos, and chamber music. As a collaborative pianist, Ruth continues working frequently with both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ms. Locker's multifaceted career remains quite active. Most recently, she has concertized in Boston, Washington State, and Oregon. She has been fortunate to have worked regularly in the voice studios of Todd Duncan and George Gibson, and as a frequent performer with The Potomac Valley Opera Company. As a much sought after free-lance pianist and teacher, Ruth is honored to work with all of the people who want to collaborate with her. Ms. Locker has recorded on the Amerimusic, Incorporated recording label.
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