[Solomon with City Choir of Washington]

Last weekend I had the privilege of making my solo debut with the City Choir of Washington in Handel's Solomon. I was kept very busy, singing roles in all three acts- Solomon's Queen in Act 1, Woman 1 in Act 2 and the Queen of Sheba in Act 3. I was joined by three fabulous soloists, soprano Katelyn Aungst, tenor Patrick Kilbride and counter tenor Charlie Humphries with Maestro Bob Shafer leading us from the podium. The choir, 120 strong, was quite a force and together with a full orchestra, the event was a true thrill. Stay tuned for recordings from the performance! 

The four soloists!

While in DC, I visited the East Wing Gallery of the National Gallery of Art, where (among many other amazing things) I saw a rooster with my haircut. 

The Calder exhibit at the East Gallery

Rothko! 

[Les Illuminations de Rimbaud]

This weekend I was fortunate to be included in a new production of Schumann's Dichterliebe and Britten's Les Illuminations at the Mile Square Theater in collaboration with Premiere Productions at Zen Space Studios.  While Brian Holman, pianist and I performed Les Illuminations, artist Rufino Jimenez improvised a large charcoal drawing on stage left. Then Byron Singleton sang Dichterliebe and was joined on stage by several incredible dancers, including choreographer/ director Kristen Mangione. I'm thrilled to say that we will be taking this production to other venues in the future! 

Dichterliebe: Photo Credit @eric_bandiero

Les Illuminations Photo Credit @eric_bandiero

Brian Holman, Byron Singleton and artist Rufino Jimenez with the piece he created during Les Illuminations. 

Rufuno Jimenez's artwork

[New Dominion Chorale Debut]

This week I'm in DC making my debut with the New Dominion Chorale and Maestro Tom Beveridge! This program, "Opera and Operetta Favorites," features singers from the 2016 Washington International Competition for Voice, presented by the Friday Morning Music Club.  I'm so excited to be singing some really fun repertoire including Poor Wand'ring One from Pirates of Penzance, My Dear Marquis from Die Fledermaus, the Fire Aria from Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortileges and the Italian Street Song from Naughty Marietta. 

Here is a [BEHIND THE SCENES] clip of me singing the chorus of Italian Street Song from our rehearsal yesterday.  I tried out a fun new ending, and I think I'll stick with it! 

All the soloists are amazing and a joy to work with, but I'm especially stoked to be singing with my dear friend and fabulous Mezzo-Soprano Madelyn Wanner. She and I were in the same Graduate class at Peabody Conservatory and sang together in an outreach production of Hansel and Gretel! 

I had such a blast singing with these phenomenal ladies!

Adele and Rosalinda are ready for Act 2! 

[Alpha Artists Management]

I'm thrilled to announce that I have joined the roster of Alpha Artists Management! Huge thanks to everyone who has encouraged me on this wonderful path. Special shout outs to Nick Netos, Neal Goren and Jenni Bank! 

[Taylor House Recital]

Here's to a hugely successful recital last night at Taylor House Bed & Breakfast in Boston! Hugs shout out to Diane Heffner, clarinetist, who played Shepherd on the Rock beautifully and of course to James Busby, pianist, coach and friend extraordinaire :)

And of course, thank you to Daryl and Dave at Taylor House for welcoming me back for a second concert. It is a pure joy to perform at Taylor House!

Pianist James Busby and Clarinetist Diane Heffner

Sienna the Bernese Mountain Dog was one of our most attentive audience members :) 

[DC/Baltimore Recital Tour]

This weekend was filled with great music and old friends! I made my annual trip down to Baltimore to sing at Paul Cassedy's house. As always, I performed with my great friend and incomparable pianist, Michael Sheppard. This year was a little different, because we were able to schedule two recitals- one on Saturday evening in Washington DC at the home of Sasha and Thais Mark, and one on Sunday evening at Paul's in Baltimore. It was a real treat to perform these programs back to back, and we're hoping to coordinate performances again for next year's recital tour.  If you missed us, I'll be back in the DC area later this month singing with the New Dominion Chorale!

[dutch connection in nyc]

It's almost six months later and I'm still getting gifts from my time working on Odysseus' Women/Anais Nin with the Center for Contemporary Opera! This fabulous video just came out with Jordinde Keesmaat and Jim Schaeffer talking about what it was like to produce this Andriessen production at National Sawdust in Brooklyn. I'm so honored to have been a part of this truly life changing production. 

[Camerata Singers of Monterey]

Just a week after returning from Korea, I'm off to the gorgeous Monterey Peninsula of California to sing with the Camerata Singers of Monterey County. I am fortunate to have grown up on the tip of the peninsula in Pacific Grove, so I get to see my parents, many old friends and my mom's three dogs, Sofie, Dixie and Louie. 

My view while having coffee this morning. Across the bay is Santa Cruz!

I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium today, which is a few blocks from my house! The jellies have always been my favorite :) We also visited Point Lobos State Reserve, IMHO one of the most beautiful places on earth. The shot above is of China Cove. I found a perfect tree at the Badger Hills Park for some #spontaneousyoga.  

Me and conductor John Koza

We've had two very successful concerts already, and tomorrow we close our run with a matinée at the First Presbyterian Church in Monterey, CA. Working with the Camerata Singers and conductor John Koza has been very special for me. Seventeen years ago, John began the Futures Program with the Camerata Singers of Monterey County, accepting a few high school students to sing with the choir. I joined the choir that inaugural year and it means so much to me to have been asked back to solo with the choir this season.  I've seen many faces from my past, and I want to thank everyone who came out to support me and the Camerata Singers this week! And a huge thanks to John Koza for inviting me to return home to make my solo debut with the Camerata Singers of Monterey County! 

Also, thanks to composer Abbie Betinis, who wrote one of the pieces featured on our concert- Behind the Clouds. It is always thrilling for me to sing works by living composers, and Abbie has been so encouraging and wonderful in preparation for this performance. 

[THE REVIEWS ARE IN]

[PENINSULA REVIEWS]

"Her first song was the Felix Mendelssohn Grant, O Lord, thy grace unbounded exhibiting an evenness and controlled soaring ability"

"Behind The Clouds [Abbie Betinis], displayed her wide range and ability to convey hope, peace, joy, and love."

[PERFORMING ARTS MONTEREY BAY]

"Finnegan sang the first verse alone, handling its challenging voice-leading with smooth command."

I am supported by so many amazing people! My first voice teacher, Linda Purdy came to hear me, as well as two of my teachers from York School- Nicholas Sturch and Jack Arnold. And as always, my awesome parents came to see EVERY show!