Karen Amlaw, soprano

About Ms. Amlaw

American soprano Karen Amlaw, semi-finalist in the 2007 Peter Elvins Vocal Competition, returned to singing after a 15 year leave in September 2003. What was at that time a one day a week commitment: singing in choir to get a break from the stresses of life as a restaurant manager has grown into a whole different career focus as a musician, music administrator and educator.

She has sung several partial roles including Nedda (Pagliacci), Madame Pompous (Too Many Sopranos), Mariane (Tartuffe), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Elettra (Idomeneo), Countessa Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), and Agathe (Der Freischütz). She sang Mother Gerald in Boston Opera Collaborative’s production of Dialogues of the Carmelites under the direction of Michael Strauss and Metropolitan Opera director Marc Astafan and has been featured in programs with Opera Worcester, Mass Theatrica, and Lowell Opera. Most recently she was invited to be the guest artist in a benefit concert at the Worcester Alumni Club and joined Calliope Inc. of Boston – covering the title role in scenes from Suor Angelica and singing other Puccini arias and Garbriel in a portion of Haydn’s The Creation. This summer she can be heard at Opera Gala on Worcester Opera Works’ Summer Concert Series where she will be singing selections from Tosca, Aida and Hérodiade; and she will join Crittenden Opera Studio as the title role of Madama Butterfly and Verdi Heroines Desdemona (Otello) and Amelia (Un ballo in maschera).

Ms. Amlaw has received merit scholarships to support her operatic studies at both Crittenden Opera Studio and New England Conservatory’s School of Continuing Education Opera Studio.

She has appeared with the Master Singers of Worcester as soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, as well as in their Boar’s Head Festival and Music at the Meeting House concerts. She also covered the principal soprano role and appeared in the double quartet for their performance of Eleanor Daley’s Requiem.

Equally at home in liturgical settings, Ms. Amlaw has appeared as soloist at several area churches including St Anthony of Padua in Revere, Christ Church in Fitchburg, St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden, and Wesley United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church in Worcester, MA. These appearances have included soprano soloist in Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C and both the mezzo and soprano roles in Handel’s Messiah and portions of Mozart's Grand Mass in C Minor. She was also one of four sopranos, including Maria Ferrante, featured in a choral version of Karg-Elert’s Symphonic Choral No. 3 with organist Brian Jones in the Organ Dedication Concert Series at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester.

Ms. Amlaw is frequently invited to join area choirs for special events as well. She has sung with the Wesley Festival Singers in a performance of Duruflé’s Requiem, and performed Mendelssohn’s Elijah in an annual spring choral concert at the Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury, MA where she was the soprano section leader and member of the solo octet. Currently a freelance soloist, she was the soprano soloist/section leader for United Congregational Church in Worcester, MA for six years from 2004 to 2010.

Ms. Amlaw’s education includes a BA in psychology with a minor in music from the University of Rochester/Eastman School of Music where her principal instrument was violin. She has studied voice with Karen Lykes (currently professor of voice at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music), Maria Ferrante, and world renowned soprano Maria Spacagna. Her coaches have included Brian Moll, Olga Rogach and Bradley Pennington, founder of Boston Bel Canto Opera. She is currently under the tutelage of MET veteran dramatic mezzo Sondra Kelly.

When not singing she can be found using her teaching, marketing and administrative talents in support of artists and music education. Currently, she is the Events Coordinator/Kids on Keys Program Director at Robinson Music Inc. in Westborough, MA, Aria Sing Coordinator for Worcester Opera Works, as well as a marketing resource for local artists. In addition, for the third consecutive year, this spring Ms. Amlaw was invited to adjudicate Opera Worcester's Annual Vocal Scholarship Competition.

She resides in Westborough, MA with her two adopted cats: Deni and Amigo.