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Mezzo-soprano Lisa van der Ploeg has captivated audiences world-wide with her rich, lustrous sound and electrifying stage presence.

 

Born in California, Lisa grew up in Denmark before returning to the U.S. where she was encouraged to pursue studies in classical voice. One of her first professional appearances included performances with Maestro Raymond Leppard and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the Barber of Seville and the Three Cornered Hat. She made her West Coast debut with the San Francisco Opera Center/Merola Program in the title role of Carmen, which she went on to tour nationally with the Western Opera Theater.

 

Since then, Lisa has become renown for her remarkable versatility which is evident from a mere glance at her roster of performances of over 45 operatic roles that span a great variety of characters from other gypsies like Azucena in Il Trovatore, to Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors to princess Amneris in Aida and everything in between including forlorn ladies such as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana and, especially...witches, including Katisha in The Mikado and Rosina Daintymouth in Hansel and Gretel, just to name a few.

 

Her extensive concert repertoire is equally diverse. Highlights include Mahler’s 3rd Symphony, Verdi’s Requiem, Bach B-minor Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. A favorite of the West and Midwest regions, Lisa has performed with Utah Festival Opera, Tulsa Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, Stockton Symphony, San Francisco Opera Center, and Intermountain Opera among many others, working with conductors including Benjamin Zander, Daniel Hege, and Neal Gittleman, who described the Mahler Rückert Lieder as “tailor made for the richness of Lisa van der Ploeg’s voice and the intelligence of her singing.”

 

Upon sending their twin-boys off to college, Lisa and her husband moved their “empty-nest” from California to the Mid-West where she was inspired to share her talents in a new way.

 

In spring of 2021, Lisa opened “The Heart of Your Voice” yoga studio.  Combining her vast performance and vocal teaching experience with yoga, Lisa developed a technique that provides her students with a thrilling new path to vocal freedom by helping them to overcome "perfection paralysis"  as they discover the heart of their voice.

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Testimonials

Sharon Brook

Lecturer/Staff Accompanist Emeritus

School of Music and Dance

San Jose State University

I had the distinct honor of witnessing Lisa's teaching, as well as her performing, at San Jose State University, for 5 years. As her collaborative pianist, I accompanied both Lisa's studio, as well as herself, in lessons and in recitals. She was a consummate professional who understood the physiology of vocal production, was fluent in the diction of several languages and was conversant with the vast vocal repertoire. 

 

She had an amazing ability to create a calming atmosphere with every student, thus allowing them to free up their breath, as well as any body tightness. Her sense of serenity, as well as her passion for the music at hand, was infectious. I often played for her late in the afternoon, after a long day of teaching and accompanying. And I always left her lessons recharged, and enthused by her unique, customized vocalises or her interpretation of a Lied.

 

Listening and watching Lisa perform is a rarefied treat: her satiny, mellow mezzo voice sounds so natural, and rivets her audiences. Her sense of drama and passion - whether it be singing a Brahms' "Zigeunerlieder” in a staged production of "Elijah" - always communicates deeply. Even during voice lessons, when she would illustrate a particular phrase in a song, her timbre was breathtaking.

 

To top off her prodigious talent, Lisa's nurturing and upbeat personality make her a natural teacher. I witnessed so many success stories among her students - in terms of their vocal development and their stage presence: a true testament to her teaching. All of us in the School of Music and Dance were so saddened by her leaving ...

 

But California's loss is Indiana's gain! Lisa is a gem.

Dr. Lynelle Wiens

Program Director and Professor of Voice, Emerita

Conservatory of Music

University of the Pacific

Lisa van der Ploeg  is an outstanding singer/performer and voice teacher.   She was an exceptional voice student of mine at the University of the Pacific, and was the first person I thought of when I was looking for someone to teach for me when I took my most recent sabbatical.

 

Lisa creates a positive, supportive and encouraging learning atmosphere in her studio.  She quickly spots technical issues that need to be addressed and comes up with clear, insightful strategies to overcome those problems.  She makes learning fun and is dedicated to the growth of each and every student.  She is a real GEM!!!   

© 2021 by Lisa van der Ploeg. Photos: Isaac Pugh. Site design: Kristina Driskill

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