Due to her impressive vocal versatility, vibrant stage presence, and solid technique, young American soprano Jenn Raithel Newman is equally polished performing Mozart as she is performing David Foster – typically during the same concert. The Arizona Republic has deemed her the “audience favorite” while critic Kenneth LaFave has noted the soprano to sing with “spin and beauty”. With a diverse repertoire of roles to her credit ranging from “Pamina” in Die Zauberflöte to “Sister Amnesia” in Nunsense, Ms. Newman's unique niche as a crossover artist has made her a sought after performer in numerous Pops and Classics concerts alike.
Ms. Newman has been the featured soloist in several Pops concerts where she has performed everything from Puccini to Lerner & Loewe and Vaughan Williams to Jason Robert Brown. Most recently, Ms. Newman returned to The Phoenix Symphony for their New Year's Eve Pops Gala and again for their People's Pops Series all under the direction of Maestro Robert Moody. In addition to her Pops appearances, Ms. Newman was also engaged as the soprano soloist in Mozart's Requiem. Highlights for the 2006-07 Season include Faure's Requiem, a debut with the Arizona Musicfest in Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music and a return to The Phoenix Symphony for their People's Pops Series under the baton of Maestro Lawrence Golan. Ms. Newman is looking forward to her debut with the Winston-Salem Symphony in the 2007-08 Season for their New Year's Eve Pops Special where she will reunite with Maestro Moody; as well as another return to The Phoenix Symphony for a tribute to the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Roles to Ms. Newman's credit include: “Emily” in Help, Help! The Globolinks!, “Gretel” in Hansel and Gretel, “Genovieffa” in Suor Angelica, Godspell, and the title role in The Mystery of Edwin Drood to name a few. As a concert artist, Ms. Newman has been the featured soprano soloist in such works as Bach's Cantata #51 – Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate, Rutter's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Haydn's Creation.
Jenn Raithel Newman holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Opera & Musical Theater Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Darleen Kliewer-Britton. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Newman has also sung gospel music extensively throughout the United States. While living in New York City, Ms. Newman was first introduced to internationally renowned soprano Maria Spacagna, with whom she still studies today.
Ms. Newman makes her home in Arizona with her husband, bass-baritone James Newman, and their young daughter Lyla Grace.
Jenn Raithel Newman will be performing The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber February 22, 2008.
