Singer Spotlight: Liesl McPherrin
http://www.lieslmcpherrin.com/
Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?
I’m originally from Northern California, and grew up on a farm in the Sacramento Valley. I went to undergrad at San Francisco State University and completed my Master of Music at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.
What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?
When I first entered grad school, I was really afraid to speak my truth and to be honest with myself. I think when you’re trying to make new friends it’s really easy to become judgmental of yourself. Hiding who you are only takes away from the ability to be artistically expressive. So, enjoy who you are. Embrace what you love and do not be afraid to share such joys with others. The right people will find you.
Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.
I had a steep learning curve when it came to educating others. I went into performance, and yet the year after finishing graduate school I found myself in the elementary music classroom! I had to learn a completely new skill set! Ultimately, I learned that classroom music is not what I love, so I belonged somewhere else; however, I was given this wonderful opportunity to learn about myself and grow as an educator, which in turned has helped me teach private voice, collaborate with others, and be more understanding of people in general.
What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?
As challenging as they are, Richard Strauss’s Drei Lieder der Ophelia. It’s a complex piece and the nuance of composition used to express Ophelia’s disturbed mental state is so fascinating and fun to explore and dive into as a singer and actress.
If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?
Trust your gut. If something feels sketchy or like you’re wasting time, it’s probably true. Don’t be afraid to ask people questions along the way.
Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?
Submitting conflicts to work. Because I’m an entrepreneurial musician with many hats and many jobs, occasionally they conflict. I had to become more comfortable and assertive when requesting days off or submitting conflicts - and that includes for family and personal events and celebrations!
Where can we catch you performing next?
I’ll be in the chorus for a concert production of Nabucco in San Francisco, and this spring I will be singing a recital of 12 art songs written by a local composer.
