Lisa Reagan

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Lisa Reagan
BornNichols Hills, Oklahaoma
Genres
  • Opera
  • classical
  • new age
  • ambient
  • jazz
  • pop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • composer
  • voice professor
Instrument(s)Piano
Websitelisareagan.com

Lisa Reagan is an American singer, musician, composer, and professor of voice. Working in musical genres ranging from classical to new age, she has released eight albums. She performed with the Washington National Opera for more than 20 years.[1]

Early life and education[edit]

As a child in Oklahoma City, Reagan caught the attention of, and studied under Dr. Clarence Burg, Dean of Music and professor of piano at Oklahoma City University.[2] She took acting classes at the historic Mummers Theater,[3] and studied voice with Florence Birdwell, who also taught Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in voice and piano at Oklahoma City University, Reagan earned a master's degree in opera and vocal performance from the University of Maryland's Opera Studio.[4] Reagan was also Miss Oklahoma in that year's Miss America Pageant.[5]

Career[edit]

During her two-decade residency at the Washington National Opera, Reagan shared the stage with performers including Luciano PavarottiPlácido Domingo, and Renee Fleming. She gave solo performances for King HusseinOscar Arias of Costa Rica, Deng Xiaoping, and at White House events for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.[6]She presented a one-woman show of Sondheim at The Kennedy Center and performed at the Wolf Trap Opera. Her composition "a L'infini" was featured on the Bravo Network finale of Project Runway season 1.[7]

In 2021 Reagan performed the role of the Cantor in the Canterbury Voices' world premiere performance Of Perpetual Solace, composed by Edward Knight and librettist M.J. Alexander. The production, which honored people of Oklahoma City affected by the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing,[8] won the 2022 American Prize in Choral Performance.[9] Reagan's world music/chant album Shunia earned the Silver Award in World Fusion Music at the 2021 COVR Visionary Awards.[10]

Academic career and teaching[edit]

Reagan was a professor of voice at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music from 1998-2008.[11] She was subsequently a professor of voice at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University.[12] In 2013, she was first invited to perform at the Salzburg Music Festival in Austria, and while there conducted classes in opera; performing and teaching there again in 2018. In May 2022 she taught a Masterclass in acting for opera singers at Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy, which she reprised in 2023.[13]

Personal life[edit]

Reagan and her husband Greg Love live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Aspen, Colorado.[14] She is a distant relative of former President Ronald Reagan.[15]

Discography[edit]

As Lisa Reagan[edit]

  • Satori, 2002
  • Arcana, 2006
  • a L'Infini 2007 EP
  • Noel, 2012
  • Realm of Dreams, 2015
  • Force of Love, 2016
  • The Most Wonderful Time, 2016
  • If Thoughts Could Tell, 2018
  • What We Need Is Here, 2023 [16]

As Shunia[edit]

  • Ascend, 2017
  • Shunia, 2021

Additional recording credits[edit]

  • Magic Music Myth, 2000 (Alchemy)
  • Rising, 2004 (Margot MacDonald)
  • Torn, 2007 (Marot MacDonald)
  • Omspun, 2008 (Kgroovenada)

References[edit]

  1. ^ McDonnell, Brandy. "New world of music: OKC opera singer Lisa Reagan Love explores ancient chants in duo Shunia". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  2. ^ "Pianist, Teacher Burg Dies". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  3. ^ "Mummers-Theater". johnmjohansen.com. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  4. ^ "MARYLAND OPERA STUDIO | School of Music". music.umd.edu. 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  5. ^ Glover, Mike. "Oklahoma Opera Singer, Teacher Has No Plans To Slow Down". www.newson6.com. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  6. ^ "IN BRIEF". Washington Post. 2024-01-24. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  7. ^ L' Infini Compilation - Lisa Reagan | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2024-04-25
  8. ^ Gilmore, Joan (March 13, 2020); "Around town: Canterbury voices commemorating bombing with premiere", Journal Record
  9. ^ "National Finalists: CHORUSES, 2022". Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  10. ^ "2021 COVR Visionary Awards Winners | COVR". covr.org. 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  11. ^ "Music". Conservatory. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  12. ^ "Wanda L. Bass School of Music". Oklahoma City University. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  13. ^ "Accademia dell'Arte | European Theatre, Vocal Arts and Dance". Accademia dell'Arte. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  14. ^ Holzer, Evie Klopp (2021-11-01). "Touring Lisa Reagan Love's Harmonious Home". 405 Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  15. ^ Shapira, Ian (20 March 2003) "Singing Beyond the Blues; Fauquier Woman Conquers Hardship, Gains Recognition as Jazz Artist" Washington Post, LE1
  16. ^ Cady, Elise (2023-11-06). "REVIEW: Lisa Reagan "What We Need Is Here" - Americana Highways". americanahighways.org. Retrieved 2024-04-25.

External links[edit]