Désirée Maira, mezzo-soprano

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Desiree Maira, mezzo-soprano, is a 2007 graduate from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Originally from West Palm Beach, Ms. Maira began her musical studies as a pianist. Since 1999, Desiree has been internationally recognized through competitions such as the Heritage Music Festival in Toronto, Canada and the Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. She spent the summer of 2005 in Urbania, Italy, performing with the Corso Estivo per Giovani Cantanti Lirici and the summer of 2006 with the New York Vocal Institute in Manhattan under the vocal direction of tenor Stephen O’Mara. This summer, Desiree will participate as a Young Artist in the Seagle Music Colony's productions of The Magic Flute, singing the role of "Second Lady" and as "Lucy" in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Additional roles include "Dorabella" in Cosi fan tutte, “Isabella” in L’Italiana in Algeri, “Meg Page” in The Merry Wives of Windsor, "Arnalta" in scenes from L'incoronazione di Poppea, "Ruth" in scenes from The Pirates of Penzance, “Cherubino” and “Marcellina” in scenes from Le Nozze di Figaro and “Carmen” in scenes from Carmen. Other musical stage credits include “Joanne” in Godspell and “Florinda” in Into the Woods. In January of 2007, Ms. Maira received the “Encouragement Award” at the Metropolitan Opera District Competition in Orlando, Florida and in April, placed as a semi-finalist in the Junior Division Palm Beach Opera Competition in Palm Beach, Florida. She has been recognized at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition for four consecutive years, receiving first place in 2005 and 2007, and second place in 2004 and 2006. She was featured as the alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem and Vesperae solennes de Confessore, performing with the Elysium Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in Atlanta, Georgia. In December of 2007, Ms. Maira sang the alto solos and duets with soprano Marvis Martin in Handel's Messiah, accompanied by the Lynn Chamber Orchestra in Pompano Beach, Florida. She is currently working on her Masters degree in Opera Performance at the Boston Conservatory, studying with Dr. Rebecca Folsom.