A native of Watsonville, California, soprano Jessica Hetrick is praised for her dramatic stage presence and “magnificent, crystal clear vocals” (Broadway World). Her silvery tone and sharp comic acting have made Ms. Hetrick a specialist of the Mozart soprano repertoire, singing the roles of Despina in Cosí fan Tutte, both Susanna and Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, and scenes from Zaide and Der Schauspieldirektor. She is in demand for both opera and oratorio performances across America and Europe. Ms. Hetrick is a winner of the 2021 Carnegie Hall Competition at Boston University and was set to perform at the Weill Recital Hall, which was sadly canceled due to COVID19. She was also a Max Kade Fellow at Middlebury Language Institute where she presented scenes and arias from Cosí fan Tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, Zaide, and Der Schauspieldirektor. Most recently, she made her debut as Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro with Santa Cruz Opera Project in May of 2022.
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Known for her dynamic performances, Ms. Hetrick electrifies both the stage and virtual concerts alike. This year she was a part of the World Premier of Befana: A Christmas Fable as cover for the title role, Befana. Other performed repertoire includes Le Feu, Le Rossignol, and La Princesse (L’enfant et les sortilèges), Lucy England (The Telephone), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Despina (Cosí fan Tutte), Susana and Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro), and Madame Silberklang (Der Schauspieldirektor). She has performed scenes as Zaide (Zaide), Norina (Don Pasquale), Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), and Tytania (A Midsummer Night's Dream).
She is also a budding stage director and has worked with actors and singers of all age and skill levels. She specializes in Commedia Dell’arte, Leban, and Viewpoints and has taught classes on these concepts at Boston University. She has staged scenes from Der Rosenkavalier and A Midsummer Night's Dream while performing as Sophie and Tytania. This year she will be making her Stage Directing debut with Santa Cruz Opera Project.
Ms. Hetrick is praised for her flexible and compelling performance of Carmina Burana. Audiences have raved that she “soars above with crystalline precision” and sings with a “fierce passion”. She made her Carmina Burana debut with the Cal State Fullerton Orchestra in 2019 and has performed various selections with organizations around the country. In 2017, she made her Rome debut as a soloist for Fauré’s Requiem in the Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri Basilica. In Santa Cruz, CA, she appeared as a soloist for the St. Matthew Passion, Elijah, and the Messiah with Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra and Cantiamo!. She was also met with rave reviews for her performances in Coronation Mass and Requiem by Mozart with Chorus America, Laudate Jerusalem by Vivaldi with the BU Symphonic Chorus, and Cantata 147 by Bach with Cantiamo!.
In addition to being a winner of the 2021 Carnegie Hall Competition at Boston University, Ms. Hetrick was awarded the Vocal Department Student of Honor Award, while maintaining her place on the Dean's List at Boston University. She is also a second place winner in the voice division of the 2019 CSUF Music Associates Concerto and Aria Competition, winner of both the upper and lower divisions of the Phi Mu Alpha American Art Song Competition in 2016 and 2017, and was awarded the Marian R. Chedzoy Award in 2018.
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Ms. Hetrick holds a BM from Cal State Fullerton and a MM from Boston University.