Introducing: Dr. Andrea Kovago

I am a lyric mezzo soprano originally from Calgary Alberta. I am an avid performer and have sung steadily in the areas of opera, oratorio, chamber music and numerous solo and collaborative recitals throughout my career. My teaching experience spans more than 20 years and I have worked with beginner through advanced levels in voice and piano. Musical theatre is a specialty for which I have an extreme passion and I frequently create projects of this nature readily throughout the year.

 

Education and Training:

Doctoral of Musical Arts (Vocal Performance) University of Minnesota

Master of Music (Vocal Performance) University of Minnesota

Vocal Pedagogy Certification University of Minnesota

Bachelor of Music University of Lethbridge

Organizations I have (and continue to, in some cases) perform with professionally:

Le Choeur de Chambre du Québec Kensington Sinfonia, Calgary

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, MN

Choeur symphonique de Sherbrooke Minnetonka Choral Society, MN

Société philharmonique de Montréal Exultate Chamber Choir and Orchestra, MN

L’Ensemble Con Brio de Montréal Bach Society of Minnesota

St. James the Apostle Anglican Choir, QC The Oratorio Society of Minnesota

Le Choeur Québecois

Recordings:

I made my recording debut in March of 2002 with Mozart’s Requiem. Others since that time include:

J. S. Bach – B minor Mass

J. S. Bach – Magnificat

J. S. Bach – St. Matthew Passion

J. S. Bach – St. John Passion – March 2014

All are readily available at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.exultate.org.

Teaching Experience:

University of Calgary

University of Lethbridge

University of Minnesota

Dalhousie University

Coon Rapids Community College, MN

Professional Affiliations:

ORMTA (Ontario Music Teachers Association)

NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing)

GMTA (Gloucester Music Teachers Association)

VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association)

NOA (National Opera Association)

WISTA (West Island Students Theatre Association)

QDF (Quebec Drama Federation)

MTNA (Music Teachers National Association)

Opera America

Music I Coach and in which I Specialize:

Musical Theatre, Opera, Classical (English, Italian, French, German, Latin, Hungarian, Hebrew)

Folk songs, Self-composed works

Sacred/cantoring, Choral works

Pop/Jazz

Student Accolades & Achievements:

SAMANTHA BERARDESCA

Columbia University Teacher’s College, New York
Masters Degree in Music and Music Education

CHANEL EDWARDS FREDERICK

AMDA – The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York

CLAIRE AURÉLIE LATIMIER

AMDA – The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York

CHRISTINE HOLLINGER

University of Santa Barbara, CA
Masters in Vocal Performance

 

ABBY MCDONOUGH

University of Minnesota Twin Cities – Morris/Duluth
B. Mus. in Voice Performance

 

ERIN CAMPBELL

University of Minnesota
Bachelor Mus. in Voice Performance

 

SEAN HORNETT

Dawson College, Montréal

Bachelor in Theatre Arts

Testimonials:

 

Working with Andrea has been an awesome experience for me. I have learned what singing capabilities I have rather than just mimicking other singers. I feel like she is someone I can confide in

~ Chanel Edwards-Frederick, Los Angeles CA

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Andrea is an excellent teacher, the best I’ve ever had. She provides a very comfortable and calm learning environment, and has considerable knowledge of French, German, and Italian diction, which she is more than willing to help her students with. She always listens to her students, and has an incredible amount of knowledge on how to handle different vocal and technical problems.

~ Abigail McDonough, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Andrea Kovago is the best voice teacher I have ever worked with. She has taught me more about voice technique than anyone else in the 20 or so years that I have taken voice lessons. She will tell you when it sounds good, and she will tell you when it doesn’t, and that’s what a student needs.

~ Jenneke Oosterhoff, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Andrea has a quality about her that makes you want to surpass yourself. She brings out the best in me through the simple coaxing and coaching of my thoughts through my voice. She was able to trigger emotional responses that were able to come through in my acting whether it be in monologue or through song. I studied voice with her, and she also coached me through a monologue. I feel confident to be able to go out and audition thanks to her knowledge. She teaches with such joy for the art that it is impossible not to want to learn, listen and experience more with and through her. I’d recommend her to anyone beginner or advanced to enjoy learn and thrive thanks to her. Come take a chance on yourself, because Andrea will not let you down.

~ Claire Mezzo Soprano, free-lance artist, North Yorkshire, England

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You will not find a more dedicated person in her profession or towards you as an individual if you join her studio and learn to sing under her instruction.

~ Mike Richardson, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Andrea helped me discover a big, beautiful solo voice I never realized I had. She freed me of bad habits and bad technique I had fallen into over decades of choral singing. Andrea also gave me the confidence to give a solo recital and audition of solo opportunities in the Twin Cities. She has a way of bringing out the best in people, not merely in vocal technique but also musicality, stage presence, and self-confidence.

~ Yvonne Grover, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

 

For more information and other details, please visit www.andreakovago.com and www.kovagovoicestudio.com