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The American soprano, Mahari Freeman (Conston), developed herself as a performer and local talent in Charlotte. She made her film debut as Kyndra Kent in the 2007 film, The Great World of Sound. She continued to do print modeling for magazines such as Discovery Girls, as well as commercials for major companies such as NASCAR. Her musical talents were noticed at a very young age. She began playing piano at age 6 and singing at age 8. Throughout her childhood, she frequently performed vocal and piano solos within her community. At age 13, she began teaching private piano lessons to other children in her community. This grew into a successful business that continued for several years and allowed her to realize her passion for both teaching and performing music. In 2012, she was ranked the number one soprano in the state of North Carolina. In 2019, she received the Recognition Award at the Metropolitan District Council Auditions. She obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2013-2016); and her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan (2016-2017), under the direction of Dr. Louise Toppin. She is also working towards her Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Voice Performance at the University of South Carolina School of Music (2020-2022).
Mahari Freeman is a versatile performer with experience in opera, oratorio, art song, and contemporary works. She also enjoys performing a variety of musical genres such as jazz and R&B. She has performed as a soprano soloist in numerous oratorio works including George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and Dixit Dominus, J.S. Bach’s Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht (Coffee Cantata BWV 211) and Cantatas BWV 51 and BWV 61, Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Johann Christian Bach’s Magnificat. She recently performed the role of Susanna in the University of Michigan’s production of W.A. Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. She also performed the title role of Cendrillon in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon. She has performed in various operas include W.A. Mozart's La clemenza di Tito, La traviata, and Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has been praised for her vocal beauty, eloquent musical interpretations, and lively spirit.
In 2017, Mahari Freeman had the unique opportunity to premiere Hyo-Won Woo’s composition, Requiem aeterman, as soloist in concert with the Sistine Chapel Choir. She has participated in several young artist programs including the Aspen Music School and Festival, where she was an Aspen Fellow; as well as the Le Chiavi Institute of Bel Canto Studies at the Texas Music Festival. In 2021, she was a finalist in the Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition.
Mahari Freeman is Resident Artist with Opera Carolina, performing in various community events. She is an avid soloist, having recently been the featured soloist during the Charlotte Pride Symphonic Band’s December 2022 concert. She is founder of La Voix Academy, a music school based in Charlotte, NC. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband. She is currently on the voice faculty at the local Central Piedmont Community College (since 2019). |
