Although Eugenie Grunewald has an internationally acclaimed career as a Dramatic Mezzo Soprano in such theaters as Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Hamburg Staatsoper, Barcelona Liceu, Madrid Teatro Real, Opera Toulouse and Opera Marseille and many more, her heart also has a passion for working with young singers on their career development as well as coaching them dramatically in their audition repertoire and role preparation. Known for her own dramatic capabilities she is sought after to present her Master Classes and Workshops for Young Artists in opera companies, universities and private studios across the United States. Her experience includes:
- Work with singers in the Studio and Young Artist Programs for Hamburg Staatsoper, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Austin Lyric Opera, Orlando Opera, The Pine Mountain Music Festival and The Seagle Music Colony doing Dramatic Coaching Master Classes and Career Development workshops.
- Staff Director and Drama Coach with Opera Breve in New York and for the Opera Breve Vocal Intensive workshops in New York City and at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, TX
- Director for the Columbus, Ohio Opera Project scenes program (April 2012)
- Distinguished Artist Series 2012/13 Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University – invited to sing in concert and give a series of Master Classes
- Master Classes for Professional Women Singers Association in New York City
- Master Classes for Chelsea Opera in New York City (Jan/Feb 2012)
- Master Classes and Career Development workshops for New Jersey City University School of Music, The Ohio State University School of Music and Kenyon College School of Music
- Master Classes for the private voice studio of Eileen Davis, Professor Emeritus Ohio State University
- Master Classes for the private voice studio of Lenora Eve in New York City
- Career Development workshop for NATS – Buckeye Chapter at Cleveland University
- Judge for Women in Music Scholarship Competition (March 2012)
Quotes for Eugenie Grunewald
“Eugenie Grunewald has definitely found yet another niche in which she excels. Many already know her as an operatic “tour-de-force” mezzo soprano; in addition, as an acting coach and director she is an inspiration to the singers who are lucky enough to work with her. Whether it is with an individual singer or in a Master Class, Ms. Grunewald goes directly to the point in a supportive and yet challenging way. Her comments are insightful and always add the necessary element to a performers audition or performance. I could not ask for a better gift than having Eugenie Grunewald on the faculty of Opera Breve.”
Lenora Eve
Founder and Artistic Director, Opera Breve, New York
“For those in search of an ideal approach to the craft of opera, Eugenie Grunewald is a perfect storm: a working mezzo-soprano with a vast knowledge of repertoire and style, combined with an aesthetic sensibility that challenges colleagues and students alike to understand the psychology behind the music and movement. Ms. Grunewald is an inspiration to watch as she speaks to the singers under her direction -- providing focus, attention to detail, and naturalism to crystallize the interaction of characters -- all the while reminding them of the particular constraints of the operatic medium. Singers are reminded to take and yield the stage in a manner that keeps their singing directed to the paying customer (Ms. Grunewald terms this "doing the dance"), but they are also motivated to find logic and justification to their movements. Her master classes are similarly two-pronged: explorations of the journey a character takes in an aria are balanced with advice on building a career. (I have seen her methods work equally well with musical theater repertoire.) Ms. Grunewald tells it like it is, but students leave uplifted rather than depressed. She is a real asset to the art and business of singing!”
Jan McDaniel
Professor of Vocal Coaching and Conductor
Bass School of Music, Oklahoma City University
“Opera Breve found a gem in Mezzo-soprano Eugenie Grunewald. Grunewald puts her considerable career experience coupled with superior creative instincts and directorial energy to work to elicit stunning performances from her singers. She works extremely well in collaborative settings. You cannot go wrong here.”
Dr. Don Maxwell, Professor of Voice
Midwestern State University
Faculty for Opera Breve Vocal Intensive
“Eugenie Grunewald has always displayed spectacular theatrical and dramatic insights and has thrilled audiences with her commitment to her characters without ever sacrificing her amazing voice and musical gifts. The fact that she is able to impart this knowledge to young singers is rare and remarkable and an invaluable gift she can bestow upon emerging professionals. I have seen her inspire and inform young singers and give them a solid foundation for dramatic specificity along with the appropriate theatrical openness and energy.”
Arthur Levy, Voice Faculty
Mannes School of Music
“It was a pleasure for the Ohio Chapter of NATS to feature Eugenie Grunewald at our April 2011 Spring Student Auditions at Cleveland State University. Her presentation to the students provided information on a myriad of aspects to be considered for those anticipating a career as a successful professional singer. Her down-to-earth, generous and witty session was a huge hit with our young singers, many of whom found it to be the highlight of their day. My own students' eyes were opened to facets of career-building that are difficult to find time to cover in their applied lessons. She graciously perused their resumes and headshots, making valuable, constructive suggestions. If you want students to gain insight on the reality of 'the business,' Genie will make it happen, with the facts, based on personal experience.”
Stephanie Henkle
Denison University, Auditions Coordinator
Buckeye Chapter of NATS
“With her amazing intuitive ability, be it in opera, art song or musical theatre, Eugenie Grunewald is able to move to the core of the character and dramatic issues the singer needs to address. In the workshops she has held for my voice students she has worked with singers of all levels in the same class. All the students have been encouraged and excited by Eugenie’s work on their performance skills and are appreciative of the easy and supportive rapport she is able to create. These workshops are so helpful that my students are constantly asking me ‘When will Eugenie Grunewald come back to do another workshop’?”
Eileen Davis Professor Emeritus
School of Music, The Ohio State University
"Eugenie Grunewald offers the best dramatic coaching I have ever received and I have been lucky to sing in several master classes with her during the past two years. Working with Eugenie in this setting has helped me become a better actor, and a more confident performer. She is brilliant in a master class setting; helping students learn to portray characters successfully, communicate music more effectively, and to be more comfortable on stage. She is extremely honest while being simultaneously very kind and encouraging. Eugenie has a special ability to help each person improve, from beginning students up through professional performers. Eugenie has been invited to serve on the 2012 judges’ panel for the Women in Music - Columbus (OH) Annual Scholarship Auditions, of which I am chairperson. I also look forward to her working with my voice students at Kenyon College during the coming year."
Jennifer Marcellana, Mezzo Soprano
Voice Faculty, Kenyon College
“I have had the privilege of working with Eugenie Grunewald on stagecraft and characterization in Master Classes as well as on stage when she has directed. She approaches characterization methodically and with such passion that one can't help but learn to infuse their performances with a truer sense of who the character is. Studying the character from the inside out....keeping in touch with the intent of the character from where you came to where you are going...has been invaluable to my performing and polishing process. “
Anna Petrie, Mezzo Soprano
“My work with Eugenie Grunewald has had a significant positive impact on the quality of my acting, especially in my audition arias. She has helped me to create a believable "scene" for each of my arias, leading to an increased ease in vocal production and improved confidence. I was also fortunate enough to work with Genie as a director and was able to effectively craft my character's dramatic arc in a way that served the music and the story.”
Tyler Wayne Smith, Counter Tenor
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