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The American mezzo-soprano and voice teacher, Jessica Timman Schwefel, obtained her and a Bachelor of Music Education degree with Choral Emphasis from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1998-2003); her Master of Music degree in Voice Performance (2003-2005) and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance with Minor in Opera Production from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005-2008). She received additional training for teaching voice at the 2014 Naked Voice Summer Institute at Northwestern University under the direction of Professor W. Stephen Smith.
Jessica Schwefel is currently a professional singer and private voice teacher based in the Madison, Wisconsin area at her private voice studio, the Timman Music Studio (since 2008). Her prior teaching experiences include teaching applied voice at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater (January 2019-December 2020), the Director of Choirs at Madison College (January 2019-May 2022), as well as teaching applied voice at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (August 2013-May 2017) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007). Her articles have been published in the VOICEPrints Journal of the NYSTA, the Wisconsin School Musician Magazine, and the NATS Journal of Singing. Her students have been recipients of numerous music scholarships and awards and also perform in a variety of venues around the country.
Jessica Schwefel has performed in over 35 operatic productions with the Florentine Opera Company (2008-October 2018), Madison Opera (September 2012-May 2013), Opera for the Young (October 2010-April 2011), Fresco Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Candid Concert Opera (December 2010-February 2012), UW Opera, among many other professional engagements. A number of her operatic credits include the roles of Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Erika in Vanessa, Hansel in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Meg Page in Falstaff, Cecilia March in Little Women, Zita in Gianni Schicchi. Her involvement with the Florentine Opera resulted in a GRAMMY award nomination in 2020, and three GRAMMY awards in 2012 and 2013.
An accomplished soloist and choral singer, Jessica Schwefel has performed works with Madison Choral Project, the Green Bay Symphony, Just Bach Concert Series, Present Music, Madison Bach Musicians, Oshkosh Chamber Singers, South Shore Chorale, Waupaca Civic Orchestra and Chorus, UW Choral Union, UW Summer Choir, UW Symphony Orchestra, UW-Oshkosh Choirs, UW-Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, and more. Her singing has also been heard on WPR programs such as “University of the Air”, "On Higher Ground" and "The Midday."
Currently, Jessica Schwefel will be appearing this season with Four Seasons Theatre, Just Bach Concert Series, and Madison Choral Project. She has also been actively promoting Korean Art Songs with with her colleagues, Youngjoo Hong and Dr. Susan Gaeddert, giving many performances in the Dane County area.
Jessica Schwefel has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Voice Excellence Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, Opera Props award, and Dara Welty Memorial Award at UW. She was also a recipient of a UW Oshkosh Professional Development Grant in 2014. She is a passionate advocate of the arts and serves as Treasurer for the Board of Directors for Madison Youth Arts Organization. She is also is the Corresponding Secretary for the Wisconsin Chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). She currently lives in McFarland, Wisconsin. |
