|
The American mezzo-soprano, Celeste Winant, obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1991-1995); and her PhD in Physics from University of California, Berkeley (1995-2003), and puts her quantitative skills to use as a demography researcher at UC Berkeley. She presently studies with Karen R. Clark.
Celeste Winant has been a freelance professional classical vocalist since 2000. She works mostly in small vocal ensembles and chamber choirs. She sings alto in choirs, alto or second soprano in small ensembles, and anything for mezzo-soprano or contralto as a soloist. While she specializes in music composed before 1750 or after 1900, she is versatile, a quick study, and enjoy singing music from all periods. She has worked as a freelance church musician for many different Christian denominations, both as a section leader and as a soloist. She also enjoys singing folk music.
Celeste Winant performs regularly as an ensemble member with American Bach Soloists (Director: Jeffrey Thomas), Bach Collegium San Diego (Director: Ruben Valenzuela), Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale (since 2010; Directors: Nicholas McGegan/Richard Egarr), Vajra Voices (since 2010), and Volti (since 2007). Her voice has been described by San Francisco Classical Voice as “attractive”; “a true, rich alto.” Recent solo highlights include touring with San Francisco Lyric Opera's critically-acclaimed production of David Lang's Pulitzer Prize-winning the Little Match Girl Passion in Odense, Denmark, and serving as member of the vocal octet for Luciano Berio’s rarely-performed Sinfonia with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra. Other ensembles with whom she has recently appeared as oratorio soloist include the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men & Boys, the Stanford University Singers, the UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus, and the UC Davis Choral Ensembles. She also was Church musician at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of San Francisco (March 2010-December 2012). She currently lives in Berkeley, California. |
