About the Instructor

Critically acclaimed solo artist, contralto Gretchen Greenfield, is recognized for a diversity of musical triumphs with symphony orchestras, opera companies, choral societies, chamber ensembles, recital venues, and renowned music festivals throughout the United States and internationally. Highlights of her performing career have included solo appearances in Mahler's Third Symphony with the Minnesota Orchestra, Charles Dutoit conducting, on tour with the Südwestfunk Orchestra of Baden-Baden, Germany, Helmuth Rilling conducting, on tour in Tokyo with the St. Louis Symphony, in performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Leonard Slatkin conducting, and encore performances of Shostakovich's songs From Jewish Folk Poetry with the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center, with the New York Y Chamber Orchestra, and with the Hartford (CT) Symphony, Maxim Shostakovich conducting as well as with I Musici de Montréal, Yuli Turovsky conducting.

"Contralto Gretchen Greenfield has a huge, rich voice which manages to be both flexible and accurate as well.." The Washington Post

"Greenfield was the stand-out among the soloists. Her energy and vaulting expressiveness caused a stir in the audience, many of whom were hearing this young artists for the first time. The talented Greenfield is apt to become an important solo presence in Kennedy Center oratorio performances." The Washington Times

"Contralto Gretchen Greenfield was glorious--period. One wanted to hear more. Considering the size of her voice, its richness, and the intelligence behind it, such scant exposure was felonious." The Courier Journal

"The Shostakovich was the event of the evening, and it was the emotionally charged and strikingly confident singing of the three American imports that made it so. Gretchen Greenfield applied a grand and lush contralto to the lullaby." The Gazette (Montréal, Canada)

"Contralto Gretchen Greenfield, the most impressive of the four soloists, brought poignancy and a large but well-shaped voice to bear in the "Agnus Dei" (Bach Mass in B Minor). Minneapolis Star and Tribune

With over 25 years' professional musical performing and teaching experience, Gretchen Greenfield brings a rare and contagious enthusiasm for mentoring musicians of all ages.