"Keep Making Music. Keep the Dream Alive!" Chatting with Soprano Chanae Curtis!
It is my honor to introduce you to Chanae Curtis. This beautiful Opera Singer was most recently seen as Annie and cover for Lily in Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. But The MET has been just one of many stops for this singer in her wonderful career.
Chanae has also performed with Wolf Trap Opera, Lincoln Center Theatre, Welsh National Opera, Mid Wales Opera, Scula di Bel Canto, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Central City Opera, Oberlin in Italy Festival, and Ashland University. She is a recipient of the Shirley Bassey Vocal Scholarship, an Arts Council England Pathways Grant Recipient, and winner of the Eileen Price Lieder Prize. She was also a Finalist and Rotary Prize Winner with the Citta di Alcamo International Singing Competition and a Semi-Finalist for both the Veronica Dunne International Vocal Competition and the George London Competition. Chanae is signed with Harlequin Agency.
Having the honor to be a Standby in Porgy and Bess, I can truly attest that her voice's beauty is beyond words, and I guarantee that this feature truly will not be the last you hear of Chanae Curtis. I am very thankful to have the chance to feature her!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be an Opera Singer?
I've known I wanted to be an opera singer from the young age of 14 years old. At the time, I had been playing the flute in my middle school band, and someone caught me outside the band-room mimicking my flute. That someone just so happened to be the vocal instructor. She encouraged me to take private lessons and opened my eyes to the world of opera and classical music. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Leontyne Price sing “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta”. I cried and cried at only 14 years old! I believed it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard and decided at moment I wanted to be an opera singer.
Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing artist you are today?
Many. The teacher that discovered my voice and introduced me to opera is Sylvia (Toy) Smith. She and her husband, Jason, have always been my biggest supporters and encouragers since the very beginning and still are to this day. My high school choir director, Craig Macgaughy, continuously helped me to get over my extreme stage fright. Every time I take a bow, I think of my first standing ovation at Cleveland Heights High School where he forced me to walk back onstage and bow as a symbol to thank and respect my audience. Dr. Dione Bennett was my teacher at Ashland University. It was she who taught me to dream, spin, and dress like a diva, even for lunch!
Later at MSM, I began working with Joan Patenaude-Yarnell, and it was then that I really began to develop my true sound. My coachings with John Fisher really helped me focus on shaping and interpretation of the text—not just to sing, but to paint pictures with the colors of my voice. I also have another very important mentor by the name of S. Haus (an exceptional artist in her own right) who’s helped me navigate this career for over a decade. There are countless others. I can say that it truly takes a village to turn talent into great artistry. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my journey to have the guidance and support of some wonderful people. I look forward to their continued guidance and meeting more people to learn from and inspire along the way.
We are living in some unprecedented times in the world but are very fortunate right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel. For all artists (especially performers) it has definitely been a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?
One of the main things I do regularly is go for long walks throughout NYC. In my early quarantine days, Central Park was my go-to for daily walks. I took great pleasure in walking from Central Park North to Columbus Circle, then back up. Winter is here (lol), so I’ve invested in an exercise bike and at-home weights to keep me constantly moving and in shape. Keeping my body in motion has SAVED me during this time of separation from my family, friends, the “in-person” performing arts community, coffee shops etc.
I’ve now begun hiking the parks uptown, and I find so much peace being near the Hudson River, and then biking at home when it snows. Between singing, moving, and learning new vegan recipes on the side, I have managed to stay quite busy during my time spent at home.
Are there any operas or performances that you have done in your amazing career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?
I have very fond memories of performing for HRH Prince Charles of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace in London and at Llwynywermod, their home in Wales. Singing Strauss’ “Morgen” with an orchestra in the Palace was so surreal and really holds a dear place in my heart. It is also a privilege to take part in supporting HRH in his endeavors to support the arts during this unimaginable time for artists and organizations. It was also there that I met Dame Shirley Bassey and received lovely words from the icon herself. Following the gala, the Dame Shirley Bassey Vocal Scholarship was manifested, and I was a grateful recipient of her kindness and generosity.
What advice would you give any young aspiring artists during these times?
Canceled contracts and closed theaters can certainly make it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, artists and musicians are producing outstanding work and have continuously provided healing during this gut-wrenching pandemic. Between virtual galas, outside recitals, FB lives, Insta reels, Tik-Tok’s and just walking through Central Park on a nice day—music is still alive, and the theater is wherever you decide it is.
Make art for all the world to see. I have every faith that when the doors of the theaters re-open, we will be bursting with enthusiasm, new ideas, and a burning desire to share our gifts. Until then, you must keep your head held high and keep pushing through. Keep making music. Keep the dream alive, and keep searching for that light at the end of the tunnel as it’s getting brighter and brighter by the day.
For more information make sure you visit Chanae's official website at www.ChanaeCurtis.com