Bless the Beasts: Anna DeGraff, Faculty Mezzo-sopranoOctober 26, 2019 at 5:30–7 p.m.

The Music Department presents faculty member Anna DeGraff, mezzo-soprano, in a concert. 

The performance is free and open to the public.

About the performer:

Nebraska native Anna DeGraff is a versatile mezzo whose stage credits include such varied roles as Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Ado Annie (Oklahoma!), and Susan ([title of show]). A frequent recitalist and a strong proponent of contemporary music, she has participated in several workshops and premieres of operatic and art song works by contemporary composers such as Robert Aldridge, Herschel Garfein, Robert Owens, Kurt Knecht, and Jocelyn Hagen. 

Dr. DeGraff holds a BM in voice, a BA in psychology, and a minor in musical theatre from the University of Nebraska where she studied with soprano Donna Harler-Smith, and MM and DMA degrees in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota where she studied with tenor John De Haan. Her voice has been described as having “great expressive power, errant and wild” (Duluth News Tribune), while her characterizations have been described from “comely” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) to “cute, quirky, and flirty” (Lincoln Journal Star). 
For four years, DeGraff sang with the Lincoln-based Blues Messengers and can be heard on their live album, Trouble in Mind, on Midnight Blue Records. One reviewer noted, “Singer Anna DeGraff tenderly fills the spacious room with the blues. She warms her audience with a voice so sultry you feel guilty for listening.” (Lincoln Journal Star) 

DeGraff has won the NATS Nebraska Artist Award and the Waterford Festival of Light Opera Best Female Singer Award. She was the recipient of the 2014 Stratton Fellowship and holds memberships in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Alpha Iota, Golden Key Society, and Pi Kappa Lambda. She teaches voice and music courses at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.