January 7, 2023, Time 2pm, Hamilton Hall
Cynthia Balme, Clinician
Cynthia Balme worked with Philadelphia Vocal Conservatory as our online voice teacher during the 2021-2022 season.
Cindy started her career in opera as a soprano, being best known for her portrayals of Verdi. Her roles included Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Violetta in La Traviata, the title role in Aida, and Desdemona in Otello. Cynthia garnered critical acclaim for her vocal technical command of Verdi’s early works including the New York premiere of Helene in Jerusalem at Carnegie Hall, Giselda in I Lombardi, Abigaille in Nabucco, the title role in New York stage premiere of Alzira, Mina in Arnoldo, and Eboli in the French version of Don Carlo. Cynthia also sang the New York premiere of Verdi’s Ave Maria for soprano and strings at Lincoln Center.
Cynthia received her degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Boyer College of Music, Temple University. She received her professional training from Armen Boyajian, and currently works with David L. Jones. In her work with David, he guided her to her authentic voice as a mezzo-soprano!
Together with her husband John Balme, Cynthia co-directs the Brookdale Concordia Chorale. Cynthia is an adjunct professor of voice at Brookdale Community College and maintains a private voice studio in Middletown, NJ. If you are in her area and want to inquire after private voice lessons, she can be contacted at BalmeMusicStudio@gmail.com or (732) 539-8855.
John Balme, Accompanist
John Balme has served as the general director of the Boston Lyric Opera, the Lake George Opera Festival, and as music director of the Liederkranz Foundation in New York City. Mr. Balme has participated as a conductor and/or producer in more than 300 productions and has appeared as a guest conductor in Atlanta, San Diego, Fort Worth, Syracuse, Rochester, Boston, and many other major cities. Mr. Balme received critical acclaim for producing and conducting Wagner’s Ring Cycle in both Boston and New York City. He attended Oxford University, the Royal College of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and Indiana University. Meanwhile, he’s served on the faculties of the University of Texas (Austin), the University of Connecticut, New England Conservatory of Music, and Northeastern University. Other activities he enjoys have included concert appearances as a pianist accompanying singers like Carlo Bergonzi, Nicolai Gedda, Jerome Hines and Deborah Voigt. Mr. Balme has also played for Beverly Sills, Shirley Verrett, John Vickers, Sherrill Milnes, and many other internationally acclaimed vocalists.
