Jacob Soulliere, baritone, is an award-winning young opera singer with aspirations of singing at the Metropolitan Opera. Jacob began his early choral singing as a member of the Phoenix Boys Choir. Since then, Jacob has performed classical music notably in a recital format, in opera productions as a member of the Arizona Opera Chorus and has represented himself well in guest solo appearances throughout the state of Arizona. In 2019 Jacob received an Encouragement Award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the Arizona District. He was the youngest singer to win an award that year.
In 2017 the young baritone was recognized as one of Arizona’s finest Young Singers and was awarded a solo appearance at the Musical Instrument Museum. Jacob was selected by Z. Randall Stroope to sing a choral solo at Carnegie Hall in 2018. Summer 2020, Jacob was selected to participate in the Premier Opera Vocal Arts Institute Program and worked with Eric Margiore and Alan Fischer. Since then, Jacob has been continuing his studies with Dr. Mary Sue Hyatt primarily preparing for college auditions as well as learning appropriate repertoire with Henri Venanzi. Mr. Venanzi alongside Mary Sue Hyatt has served as Jacob's accompanist and coach. Recently, Jacob was one of 5 selected to audition for the final voice rounds at the Curtis Institute of Music. In addition, Soulliere was accepted to Kent State University, New England Conservatory and The Manhattan School of Music.
Jacob is currently an undergraduate freshman at the renowned Manhattan School of Music in New York. Jacob Studies voice with Marlena Malas.
In 2017 the young baritone was recognized as one of Arizona’s finest Young Singers and was awarded a solo appearance at the Musical Instrument Museum. Jacob was selected by Z. Randall Stroope to sing a choral solo at Carnegie Hall in 2018. Summer 2020, Jacob was selected to participate in the Premier Opera Vocal Arts Institute Program and worked with Eric Margiore and Alan Fischer. Since then, Jacob has been continuing his studies with Dr. Mary Sue Hyatt primarily preparing for college auditions as well as learning appropriate repertoire with Henri Venanzi. Mr. Venanzi alongside Mary Sue Hyatt has served as Jacob's accompanist and coach. Recently, Jacob was one of 5 selected to audition for the final voice rounds at the Curtis Institute of Music. In addition, Soulliere was accepted to Kent State University, New England Conservatory and The Manhattan School of Music.
Jacob is currently an undergraduate freshman at the renowned Manhattan School of Music in New York. Jacob Studies voice with Marlena Malas.
Last Updated 08/27/2021**
Early Life
Soulliere began his early choral singing as a member of the Phoenix Boys Choir under the direction of Georg Stangelberger. Since then Jacob has been singing and performing classical music and oratorios as well as understudying operas. Soulliere has performed at numerous venues around the valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona including the Tempe center for the Arts and the Herberger Theater. Being selected to sing at the White House, to singing at Carnegie Hall in New York, Jacob is arguably one of the finest young singers in the southwest. In December of 2016 Jacob was selected to perform with the newly formed Messiah Chorus in the production of Handel's Messiah under the direction of 4- time Grammy winner Vance George formerly director of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. At this time the young Baritone had the opportunity to coach with the maestro who was very encouraging towards his operatic goals. In March of 2017 Jacob was asked by American composer, conductor, and lecturer, Z. Randall Stroope to sing the written solo in the choral piece. "Soldier Soldier Won't You Marry Me?” under the direction of the Maestro at the renowned stern auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Making Jacob one of the youngest male classical/operatic singers to sing a solo in a choral piece at Carnegie Hall. In October of 2017 Jacob had the privilege to sing parts of Raphael in Haydn's The Creation with the orchestra and concertmaster from the Phoenix Symphony, Steven Moeckel. This oratorio was under the direction of the Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church Director of Music Ministries, Paul Lee, who invited Mr. Soulliere to participate as choral singer and soloist of the Concerts on the Desert performance series. In December of 2017 Jacob was invited by former Director of Opera of Music at Kent State University John Sikora to sing a very special interpretation of Handel's Messiah in Ohio, presented by the Galion Community Chorus. While in Ohio Jacob had the privilege to coach with not only Mr. Sikora but also with two decade performer at the Metropolitan Opera, Vernon Hartman. Jacob has also worked with Bob Chilcott, Ludwig Wicki and coached with Dale Dreyfoos and many more.
Current Activities
Soulliere participates as a choir member and as a soloist at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree, Arizona. Jacob is a chorister of The Arizona Opera Chorus and much more. Jacob enjoys MET performances as well as golfing when he is away from studying at the Manhattan School of Music.
Awards
Soulliere has received numerous awards and recognition's such as being named "one of Arizona's finest young musicians" from the renowned Music Director of Arizona Musicfest, Robert Moody. Out of the 15 chosen musicians, Jacob was the only vocalist selected to perform at the Musical Instrument Museum in 2016. In 2017 & 2018, Jacob placed 1st two consecutive years in the Cheryl Siebs Memorial Vocal Competition . Jacob received the $500 scholarship and performed as the featured soloist at the Desert Hills Presbyterian Church as a part of the award. Jacob was later asked by the Music Director Margaret Watson, to be a featured soloist in their 2017 and 2018 spring show where the young baritone would perform around the valley of cave creek singing well-known music. Most recently, Jacob received an encouragement award from The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Arizona District). Mr. Soulliere was the youngest singer awarded.
