https://chelseamelamed.com/

Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?

I am a mezzo-soprano from California (I spent my childhood in LA and Ventura). I will always be Cali girl at heart, but am now living in Toronto where my husband is from. I was in school for a long time! I have a Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence University, a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from CCM (University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music). I loved the small college experience at Lawrence. It was a very supportive environment that provided top notch musical training. I loved living in San Francisco for my masters and so glad I did, as that is where I met my wonderful husband. My time at CCM had the most impact on my singing and artistry by far. While there, I also had the amazing opportunity to teach very talented students at the collegiate level. Since graduating, I have decided to pursue a performance career for now, but do plan to apply for teaching jobs in the future. I have performed as a young artist with various companies, my favorite being my time with Opera Santa Barbara. I think Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I am now narrowing my focus as an artist, and looking for gigs that align with my passions and skills so that I can build a career that has meaning to me. I love art song and new music, so have been doing a lot of that these days.

What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?

That it's just singing and that nothing is worth sacrificing your integrity. Sorry, that is two things...

Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.

I am a new mom and this is definitely the biggest obstacle I have faced. I am not sure I have overcome it just yet (she is only 7 weeks old), but I have learned to let go a bit more, and know that there is never an ideal time to start a family in this career, but that if it's important to you, it needs to come first and the career will sort itself out.

What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?

Cherubino!

If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?

Don't lose the joy and play.

Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?

Establishing the "perfect" technique. There is no such thing, and imperfection is beautiful and interesting.

Where can we catch you performing next?

Nothing on the books at this moment since I am taking a little time off to be a mom.