Katherine Ascani

BM Vocal Performance
Minor in Italian
Class of 2011

Katherine Ascani is a sophomore at Chapman Conservatory majoring in Vocal Performance and currently studies with Margaret Dehning. Katherine is a member of Opera Chapman and is currently cast as "Miss Sweetsong" in their production of Mozart's The Impresario.

This last summer Katherine had the privilege of participating in "Teaching Sopranos to Sing," a workshop and summer program run by Paul Kiesgen at Indiana University and worked with Richard Miller and Costanza Cuccaro in a master class format.  She also participated in Riverside Lyric Opera's 1st Annual Opera Camp and worked with Suzanna Guzman and Maestro Manuel Alberto Aybar.

In 2008, as a freshman at Chapman, she placed 1st in her division in the Los Angeles NATS Vocal Competition and placed 2nd in the California Women's Chorus Scholarship Competition. She was selected as a soloist for the University Choir Fall concert and was a member of Chapman's Opera Program.  She was featured as the Badessa and Conversa II in Chapman's Spring Production of Suor Angelica. She was also selected to be honored at the Sholund dinner and was awarded the Shanley Scholarship for her outstanding vocal and academic talent.

Katherine participated in the 2007 Aspen Music Festival as part of her awards as one of two Grand Prize Winners of the 2006 Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards in the Classical Division. While at Aspen, Katherine participated in opera scenes from Turn of the Screw, Dead Man Walking, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She performed in the chorus of Carmen, conducted by Maestro Julius Rudel and Madam Butterfly, conducted by Maestro David Zinman.  She was privileged to study under Irene Gubrud while at Aspen and work with Coach Sylvia Plyler from University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Director of Aspen Opera Theater Edward Berkeley from Julliard School of Music, and received stage direction from Sarah Meyers an Assistant Director at the Metropolitan Opera.

While at Murrieta Valley High School, she won 1st place in the 2006 Riverside District #5330 International Rotary Vocal Competition and 1st place in the 2005 and 2006 Temecula Valley Vocal Competition and 2nd place in 2007.  She was a guest soloist with the Temecula Valley Master Chorale in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She also performed at the 2005 Temecula Mayor's Ball, the 2005 NAMM Convention, and the 2005 International Jazz Festival.  In 2004 she had the pleasure of working with Barbara Hohn from University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and in 2005 with Dale Moore of Indiana University, also in a master class form.

Katherine grew up in Higley, Arizona before moving to Murrieta, California in 2000. She began voice at the age of 14 and studied under her mother, Lori Ascani, prior to entering Chapman Conservatory.  She has grown up around music and wouldn't have had it any other way.

She plans to continue her education after Chapman and pursue a Masters' degree in Vocal Performance.  Katherine hopes to perform professionally someday.