Shari Wilcox
Voice, Piano
Shari Wilcox, mezzo-soprano, has appeared in opera, musical theater, and as a guest soloist with regional orchestras. She has performed in a variety of roles including The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Sharon McLonergan in Finian’s Rainbow, Lady Thiang in The King and I, Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Mme. Ernestine von Liebedich in Little Mary Sunshine, Pitty-Sing in The Mikado and the Queen of the Fairies in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe for which she received a Eugene O’Neill Award. Ms. Wilcox has performed in many opera scenes programs including Carmen in Carmen, Madame Flora in The Medium, Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro. She has served as mezzo-soprano soloist for such works as Handel’s Messiah, Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music, Charpentier’s Te Deum, and Cherubini’s Requiem Mass in C Minor with the University of Rhode Island Orchestra and Beethoven’s Mass in C with Cappella Cantorum. She is a member of Con Brio, a 50-voice auditioned chorus. In addition, she is the Youth Choir Director at the UCC First Congregation Church in Essex where she also serves as section leader, Musical Theater Director and Senior Choir Director Assistant. She has studied voice with both the late Mary Langdon of Mystic and Connie Bloomer, former Choral Director at Ledyard High School. Ms. Wilcox graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree.
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I grew-up in a household "filled to the brim" with music. My father was a semi-professional bass-baritone who was an engineer by day and a singer by night. He was always singing, and so at a very early age, it was my good fortune to be exposed to opera, operetta, oratorio, musical theater, and dad’s extensive work as a church soloist.
In the 1970's, The Eugene O'Neill Theater produced a beautiful rendering of the opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti. My father played King Balthazar and Mary Langdon, my second voice instructor, played the role of the Mother. As a child, I was mesmerized by this profoundly touching piece. Dare I say, I didn't miss a rehearsal or an opportunity to attend a performance of this production? I was hooked! I knew at that moment in time that this was my calling. Ever since, music has been a HUGE part of my life.
I have been privileged to be involved in numerous musical theater and opera productions. Singing and acting allowed me to let my creative juices flow. Over the past 10 years, my focus has turned to teaching, which has now become my passion. I love working with students of all ages. Since I've had an extensive background in performance, I share my experiences with my students and help them grow and learn to express themselves through music. Not only am I a voice and piano instructor, but also I am a singer, vocal coach, pianist, choir director, musical director, and actor. My lessons encompass all aspects of learning about the art of singing and playing the piano.
I found a bookmarker the other day, and do not know to whom to attribute it. I feel that it conveys my teaching style:
Unveil - Enlighten - Inspire
I am very privileged to have found work that makes me feel happy and fulfilled. I look forward to working with all of those who share in my love of music. In addition, I hope to inspire the younger ones so that they "get hooked" as I did so many years ago.
