Elayna Mitchell has captivated audiences for more than 25 years with her warm and rich classical soprano voice. She has performed as a featured soloist with several Midwest orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
This accomplished soprano specializes in performing at weddings and other events such as recitals, church services, holiday concerts, funeral memorials, and patriotic programs. She has also been the featured entertainment at numerous meetings and conferences.
Elayna displayed an exceptional aptitude for music at an early age and began her music education at age seven. Her formal music education resulted in a Master of Arts degree in Vocal Pedagogy, and Elayna continues to grow as an artist by performing and teaching upcoming music students at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.
Because of Elayna’s extensive performing experience and formal education she is the perfect choice to make your next event a success, or to help expertly guide a student’s music education.
ELAYNA'S PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
During her 17 years with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus Elayna worked with such noted conductors as Sir George Solti, Carlo Maria Guilini, Kurt Mazur and James Levine. Her solos with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra included:
Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (Mater Glorioso),
Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy,
Mussorgsy’s Boris Godunov,
and Strauss’ Electra.
As a soloist, Elayna’s performances have included opera, oratorio and classical concerts with several Midwest orchestras. Some of her solo performances include: Mendelssohn's Elijah, Rossini's Petit Missa Solemnis, Brahms Requiem, Faure's Requiem, J. S. Bach's Christmas Cantata, and J. S. Bach's Magnificat in D Major. Other solo performances include: Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation, and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
In addition to her work as a soloist, Elayna has appeared in several opera scenes including the following roles:
Monica in Menotti's Medium,
Annina in Menotti's The Saint of Bleecker Street,
Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas,
and Mother in Barab's Little Red Riding Hood.
Some of Elayna’s favorite performances included arias from Verdi’s La Fortza del Destino and Otello. These include:
Pace, Pace mio Dio from La Fortza del Destino
Ave Maria from Otello
Elayna’s concert and recital appearances with the Downers Grove Choral Society Artist Recital Series include: “Songs About Children,” and in “Love and Life: Great Operatic Arias and Duets” with tenor John Joyner.
She also had the honor of appearing as the soloist for the Sounds of Christmas Concert at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois. Elayna has also regularly performed at other concerts throughout the holiday season, including appearances at Water Tower Place for Marshal Fields.
Elayna has worked with several area churches as an organist and pianist. Most recently, she has served as a church soloist and pianist on the worship team at Crossroads Community Church in New Lenox.
Elayna is a regular guest artist with the Joliet American Legion Band performing at Veteran’s Day and 4th of July concerts at Joliet, Frankfort and New Lenox. She has also been a featured soloist at memorial ceremonies held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
ELAYNA'S EDUCATION
Elayna began her music education at an early age with formal piano lessons beginning at age seven. This was followed by organ lessons at age 11 and voice lessons at 15. During high school, Elayna continued her training and was chosen by audition to participate in the Chicago All City High School Chorus.
Prior to her senior year at Taft High School, Elayna auditioned for the Chicago Symphony Chorus and was accepted. She trained and performed under the direction of Margaret Hillis for the next 17 years and became a regular understudy and soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Her other coaches and mentors have included: Nicholas Loren, Monroe Olson, Dr. Robert Holst, Evelyn Leiske Noble, Dr. Phyllis Hurt, Dr. Ronald Combs, Edward Lally, Richard Boldrey, William Browning, Kip Snyder and Dr. Eric Weimer.
Elayna received her M.A. in Vocal Pedagogy and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education with High Honors from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Her master's research paper "Teaching the Adolescent Voice" was selected to be presented at the Annual Research Symposium at Northeastern University. Other college coursework was completed at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois and Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois.
Elayna has been the recipient of several awards and honors. Her awards have included the Joan Sachs Award (a complete music scholarship for both undergraduate and graduate study at Northeastern Illinois University), and the Margaret Hillis Fellowship Grant. Elayna was also inducted into the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society.
ELAYNA'S TEACHING EXPERIENCE
After completing her formal education as a certified music teacher, Elayna taught high school, junior high school and elementary school vocal music programs. During this time she also directed several church choirs.
As an active member of the Joliet Area Music Teachers Association for more than five years, Elayna adjudicated piano contests. Over the years, she has also judged vocal solo and ensemble contests in the Midwest and the Nicholas Loren Vocal Competition in Holland, Michigan.
In August of 1999, Elayna joined the Lewis University Music Department teaching voice. She is now a Senior Lecturer and continues to teach voice to university students and voice and piano to private students.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Elayna has appeared in various solo performances at Lewis University. These include: numerous commencement ceremonies, Honors Convocations, Arts Gala Concerts and was also the featured soloist in the University’s Gilbert and Sullivan Concert. Although classical music is her first love, Elayna is a very versatile artist with an extensive repertoire including: Opera, Broadway and Jazz. She has made many guest solo appearances with the Lewis University Jazz Band.
Elayna’s most memorable recital was an evening of sacred songs that she personally produced entitled "Sacred Portraits - An Evening of Inspirational Music" with accompanist Dr. Robert Holst, oboist Dean Sayles and violinists Diane Dungca and Caitlin Ondreacek.
It is Elayna's personal belief that any student can sing well if they have the desire to sing better and have the discipline to practice. Her method of instruction stresses a very positive, nurturing and consistent approach to singing. Many of Elayna's students of have gone on to pursue higher education in music and have successfully pursued careers in music and music related fields.
Learn more about how Elayna can make your event successful.
Please CLICK HERE to receive more information
or email Elayna at elaynamitchellsoprano@yahoo.com.
It would be a delight to serve you!
Copyright 2009 Elayna Mitchell. All rights reserved.