Singer/Actress & Voice Teacher Lisa Golda » News

Studio and other news

Lisa — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:28:01 +0000

As usual, my students are making me proud with various appearances and accomplishments. Ben Johnson is currently performing in Seussical Jr. with Theatre for Young Audiences in Sheboygan, WI. Larry Marcus will be appearing in a duets revue presented by Mill Street Singers and Friends at the Plymouth Arts Center. Casey Campbell and Ben Johnson appeared to rave reviews in the North-South High School production of Les Miserables. Marielle Schuchardt is starring in Proof with Sheboygan Theatre Company. Danielle Rammer sang with Paul Sucherman’s ensemble in their Wicked revue in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Rachel O’Keefe appeared as Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Kohler High School. Genevieve Gannon performed in Hansel and Gretel as a freshman at St. Norbert’s College. Caitlin Barclay is a voice major on full scholarship at Carthage College, a freshman, and also won a substantial scholarship from the Kohler Foundation in 2011. More news as it comes up!

Godspell at University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan

Lisa — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:20:30 +0000

On to the next exciting project: music directing Godspell at University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan! Can’t wait to get started with auditions next week, February 2-3. I will be working with director Simon Provan, fellow actor and theatre professor at UW-Sheboygan. The show will run one weekend only, March 29-April 1!

Summer Success!

Lisa — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:41:34 +0000

Things have been busy on both the personal and studio fronts. Student Caitlin Barclay, who recently won a 10k music scholarship from the Kohler Foundation, will be sponsored by Carthage College, where she will major in vocal performance, for just about the rest of her college expenses! Student Ben Johnson, who is a high school freshman this year, was invited to join the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus. Rachel O’Keefe was asked to star as Lucy in Kohler High School’s upcoming production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Many of my students performed with professionalism and panache at my studio recital in mid-August; check me out on Facebook and look at the link featuring student Genevieve Gannon, who will be attending St. Norbert’s College this fall, in her performance of “Ah! Je veux vivre” from the opera Romeo et Juliette.In July, I attended the Sound Connections convention for Unity musicians in Kansas City, MO and met many wonderful “posi” colleagues. I’m looking forwarding to rejoining Chicago Opera Theatre for my fourth year as a teaching artist in Chicago, and to reprising my role as Mama Bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears with Chicago Opera Playhouse at the Rumble Arts Center near Humboldt Park this September. I’ll also be making my debut with Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee in The Exonerated, playing Sandra and Sue, and vocal directing Reefer Madness at Carte Blanche Studios in Milwaukee! Busy as usual. . .

Studio News

Lisa — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:26:09 +0000

Congratulations to student Caitlin Barclay, who was awarded a $10,000 Kohler Arts Foundation scholarship to further her vocal studies this fall at Carthage College. Tyler Williams, who has worked with me for five years, has just been offered a contract for the Turandot chorus with Florentine Opera. Congratulations as well to former student Katie Phillips, who, having finished her senior year at Interlochen Arts Academy, will now be attending Westminster Choir College and studying with dramatic soprano Sharon Sweet. Marielle Schuchardt was recently a finalist in the Sheboygan’s Got Talent competition. Holland White is performing at Maximillian’s this summer. Rachel O’Keefe will be performing in Kohler’s Taste of Italy event. Casey Campbell was just cast as Javert, and Ben Johnson, as the Bishop, in Sheboygan North-South High Schools’ upcoming production of Les Miserables.

“Opera for All” in the News!

Lisa — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:49:30 +0000

I am a teaching artist for Chicago Opera Theatre, in residence in two inner-city Chicago schools year-round with my fellow TA and COT Education Director Linden Christ. We recently presented this year’s final performance of the kids’ opera “School Rules!” at Clinton Elementary School. 4th and 5th grade kids wrote the music and lyrics and created props with the help of composer Adam Busch and artist Sonja Henderson, as well as the late great Mary Scruggs of Second City Theatre. Here is a link to a short Chicago TV news story on Clinton’s performance! http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=186506&terms=Opera

This Fall at Next Act Theatre

Lisa — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:53:45 +0000

I’m pleased to announce that I will be making my debut with Next Act Theatre this fall in “The Exonerated”, their dramatic season opener in their new Third Ward space! Based on true stories of people wrongly convicted to, and later freed from, death row, this show confronts the human and spiritual price we pay as the only first world society that still imposes capital punishment. I will be playing Sandra/Sue, wives of two freed death row inmates.

In other news, student Caitlin Barclay was awarded a $10,000 merit scholarship to pursue her studies in voice at Carthage College by the Kohler Foundation. She was one of five Sheboygan high school senior finalists competing for $60,000 in scholarships sponsored by the Kohler Foundation:
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20110428/SHE04/104280356/Top-high-school-musicians-will-perform-Sunday-Kohler-Arts-Center-Senior-Honor-Recital

Studio News

Lisa — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:41:06 +0000

My students have been accomplishing extraordinary things this spring! Congratulations to Caitlin Barclay, who is one of five finalists for the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship; up to 60k, awarded to two graduating high school seniors in Sheboygan County for artistic merit. Caitlin was also recently named an alternate for Kids in Wisconsin and received a four-year music scholarship of 20k at Carthage College. Genevieve Gannon, who just completed a run as Babe in the Plymouth HS production of Good News, received a substantial music scholarship at St. Norbert’s College.

In other studio news, Brynn Crocker, Kayla Hang, Susan, Jim, and Ben Johnson, and Caitlin Barclay were all cast in the upcoming STC production of Guys and Dolls. Danielle Rammer is performing in the Lakeland Production of Godspell. Michelle White is starring as Jeannie in Carte Blanche Studios’ upcoming production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical in Milwaukee, WI. Jocelyn Dawson is rehearsing for a local production of Anything Goes. Erin Walton is in rehearsal with Soulstice Theatre for their upcoming production of American Enterprise. Rich Kottke, Lauren Ensor, Genevieve Gannon, Brynn Crocker, Hannah Miller, Michelle Zuehlke, and Caitlin Barclay were all advanced to the state level for Solo & Ensemble, in addition to Rachel O’Keefe and Erika Herrman, who competed in earlier rounds.

I’m so proud of all my students and their numerous accomplishments!

Premiere of “codadiva” tonight!

Lisa — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:24:57 +0000

Liysa Callsen’s new one-woman show, “codadiva”, opens tonight at 7 pm at the Vox Box. The Vox Box is located at the Marian Center for Non-Profits, 3211 S. Lake St. Suite 423. Tickets are $10. Cash bar. To purchase tickets in advance, visit the Facebook event. Liysa’s solo exploration of the isolation and insights arising from experiences growing up hearing in a deaf household will speak to everyone. To read a preview article by Damien Jaques of onmilwaukee.com, click here: http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/codacourage.html

Studio News

Lisa — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:43:20 +0000

Congratulations to Rachel O’Keefe, Michelle Zuehlke, and Erika Herrmann, all of whom made it to the State Level in their musical theatre events. Erika was also advanced for her classical solo, and Rachel for multiple ensemble pieces. Selections they performed included Honeybun, Turn Back O Man, and Moonfall. I’ll post further results as my students complete their auditions for S & E and college programs.

In other educational news, I’ve been working on a script for Chicago Opera Theatre’s “Opera for All” program, in which I work as a Teaching Artist. This spring, our students at four Chicago area schools will present the opera they’ve been working on with us and various other artists, including the late great Mary Scruggs of Second City, who taught the kids how to write lyrics. The opera, “School Rules!”, concerns a child’s day at school with flights of fancy including chocolate milk protest songs and celebrations of family legacy and heritage. It’s going to be exciting!

Let’s Hear it for the Vox Box!

Lisa — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:08:11 +0000

Thanks to Damien Jaques, long-time Milwaukee theatre critic and contributing writer for onmilwaukee.com, for a wonderful feature introducing the Vox Box to Milwaukee!

Visit the Vox Box section of this website to learn more about upcoming performances, my mission, and for a link to Damien’s feature. Or, click here: http://onmilwaukee.org/ent/articles/lisagoldavoxbox.html