When featured as Jenny in Sondheim’s Company at Off the Wall Theatre in Milwaukee, WI, Lisa was described by long-time Milwaukee theatre critic Damien Jaques of OnMilwaukee.com as
“a huge find. . .Golda is bursting with poise, polish, and energy.”
Lisa began her professional performing as an opera singer. She was a Resident Artist of Portland Opera, a previews singer and AGMA chorister for Portland Opera, and an educational outreach artist for Seattle Opera. She has participated in many prestigious training workshops, including Ann Baltz’s Operaworks (Los Angeles, CA) and the International Vocal Arts Institute with Joan Dornemann of the Metropolitan Opera. Recent operatic activity includes her work as a Teaching Artist in Residence for Chicago Opea Theatre and performances with Chicago Opera Playhouse.
Lisa received her Master’s in Vocal Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with Patricia Havranek. Other teachers and coaches have included Rodney Menn of Portland, OR, formerly of New York City Opera, and Connie Haas (Milwaukee, WI).
A committed teacher, Lisa is now in her third season as a Teaching Artist & Student Production Director for Chicago Opera Theater’s “Opera for All” program. She has taught voice at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as an adjunct faculty member, maintains private voice studios in both Milwaukee, WI and the Sheboygan County area, and is an occasional vocal director & dialect coach. Costuming is also part of her professional resume, with work for Chicago Opera Theater’s “Opera for All,” Chicago’s AfterSchool Matters program, and Indiana University Opera-Ballet Theatre.
Lisa’s performing also includes the theatrical realm. She has performed at local theatres including Soulstice Theater, the Boulevard, and Sheboygan Theatre Company, with roles including Florence/Chess, Vixen in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Mrs. Anna/The King and I, Rosie Alvarez/Bye Bye Birdie, and the First Witch/Macbeth. A short written work of hers, Truck Stop, was presented by Pink Banana Theatre in their 2010 One Act Festival. She consistently receives enthusiastic reviews for her work, both musical and dramatic.
Lisa is a contributing writer for Classical Singer Magazine. Her arts columns and op-ed pieces have also been featured in The Shepherd-Express, The Sheboygan Press, The Bloomington Alternative, Bloom Magazine, and the Indianapolis Peace & Freedom Journal. She currently resides in Bay View, Milwaukee.
