ROCHESTER, NY — Mezzo-soprano Kathryn Cowdrick, described by Opera News as a singer who "brightly infused every scene with her singing, dazzling fioratura, and her sexy, warm, comedienne personality," has been named assistant professor of voice at the Eastman School of Music, effective July 1.
Since an Adler Fellowship with the Francisco Opera launched her career, Ms. Cowdrick went on to appear in more than a half dozen roles with that company before going on to appear with numerous opera companies throughout North America such as the Los Angeles Opera, Tulsa Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Utah Opera. This fall, Ms. Cowdrick makes her New York City Opera debut as Berta in Il Barbiere Di Siviglia.
Best known for her elegant portrayals of Rossini heroines, she made her European debut at the Netherlands Opera as Rosina in Dario Fo’s controversial production of Il Barbiere Di Siviglia. She reprised that role for the Scottish Opera, Vancouver Opera, the National Arts Center in Ottawa, Cologne Opera, L’Opéra de Marseille, Opera Memphis, and on tour with the New York City Opera.
Ms. Cowdrick has also been seen at the Wexford Festival in Ireland in Gluck’s Return To Mecca, at Washington Opera in The Merry Wives of Windsor, at the Carmel Bach Festival for concerts and productions of L’Orfeo and L’Ormindo, and Virginia Opera in The Tales of Hoffmann as Nicklausse, and as Smeton in Anna Bolena. Ms. Cowdrick’s versatility also extends to roles in HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, The Sound of Music, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, and Cinderella.
Kathryn Cowdrick can be heard as Charmian on the New World Records Grammy Award-winning recording of Barber’s Antony and Cleopatra, recorded live at the Spoleto Festival, where she also appeared in Ken Russell’s televised production of Madama Butterfly. In addition, she can be heard on a Gramophone Bis live recording from Carnegie Hall as Karolka in Jenufa with the Opera Orchestra of New York.
Ms. Cowdrick’s approach to singing comes from her unique educational and professional background as a speech therapist and deaf educator, with degrees from Columbia University and Pennsylvania State University. She has taught privately and has worked with many young artists in master classes, specializing in voice disorders and care of the professional voice.
Ms. Cowdrick joins Eastman voice faculty members Steven Daigle, Benton Hess, John Maloy, Robert McIver, William McIver, Russell Miller, Rita Shane, Robert Swensen, and Carol Webber.
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