Mezzo-Soprano
With her rare and unique voice, Armenian American mezzo-soprano Aria Minasian has rich and versatile performance experience in roles that encompass contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano repertoire, as well as one baritone role. From her large array of repertoire, roles, and awards, it is clear that Aria is an artist with a deep devotion for the art form and creative collaboration. Winning praise for her mezzo-soprano roles, such as the title role in Kevin Puts’ Elizabeth Cree “Minasian's portrayal was truly spectacular—her Elizabeth was deep and seductive, precociously balancing beauty and terror. Her luxurious contralto voice pulled the audience into Elizabeth’s madness and gripped until we were left begging for more”, as well as for contralto roles like Zita in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi “The avaricious Zita dazzled the audience with her hearty contralto voice—a rare gift to hear onstage”, as much as her soprano roles, such as Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, for which she was hailed as “[the] favorite all-around performance from the aptly-named Aria Minasian for her ability to embody both the humor and the darker, more painful emotions of the story.” (Arts at Michigan).
Launching into the 2024-2025 season, Ms. Minasian is excited be a Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist with Virginia Opera for their 50th Anniversary Season, covering Donna Elvira and Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, covering Carmen and performing Mercédès in Bizet’s Carmen, covering Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, and covering Lola Loving and performing in the ensemble of the world premiere of Damien Geter’s Loving v. Virginia. A charismatic and willing musician, Ms. Minasian has collaborated and worked with several composers and librettists on their works, including Pulitzer Prize-Winning composer Kevin Puts on his opera Elizabeth Cree (with Aria as the title role in 2024), Tom Cipullo on his new opera Hobson’s Choice (with Aria as the title role of Maggie Hobson in the 2023 workshop premiere), librettist Virginia Sierra and composer Roberto Sierra on their large chamber ensemble piece I am Carmen Miranda (under the baton of Maestro Jayce Ogren and the Contemporary Directions Ensemble with Aria as the title role in 2022), James Stephenson on his Symphony No. 2 (with Aria as the soloist in 2022), and Grammy Award-Winning composer Christopher Theofanidis on the world premiere of his work Door Out of the Fire (with Aria performing as the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 2021). Ms. Minasian’s ability to be a chameleon onstage both in character and voice type has led to great success, artistry, and a vast knowledge and understanding of repertoire and styles.
Ms. Minasian was honored to be a Studio Artist at Wolf Trap Opera for the summer of 2024, covering Anna 1 in Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins, understudying as Dorabella and performing in the chorus of Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, performing in the chorus of La bohème, and covering Madeleine in Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, directed by Ryan & Tanya McKinny. Her time as a part of the Wolf Trap Opera community was a momentous turning point for Aria, performing in masterclasses and coaching with soprano Christine Goerke and mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, two artists she has long admired, and working with generous artists and coaches throughout the summer. Recent operatic highlights include Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Olga in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Taller Daughter in Mazzoli’s Proving Up, Forester’s Wife & the Owl in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, Aunt Lou in Still’s Highway 1, USA, Madame de la Haltière in Massenet’s Cendrillon with University of Michigan Opera, and The Celebrant in Bernstein’s Mass with Lawrence University Opera. Additional recent partial roles and opera scenes, many of which Aria hopes to perform fully in her career, include the title role in Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur, Adalgisa in Bellini’s Norma, Charlotte in Massenet’s Werther, and Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto with University of Michigan Opera Workshop, and Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, Idamante in Mozart’s Idomeneo, 2nd Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Edka in Heggie’s Two Remain at Wolf Trap Opera for their Studio Spotlight and Untrapped Concert. Additional training includes being a Principal & Studio Artist with Utah Valley Operafest (formerly UVAA) and an Artist for Russian Opera Workshop.
Earning the Presidential Scholarship from Lawrence University, Aria graduated with her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, cum laude. Starting her studies as a coloratura soprano, Aria then switched to mezzo-soprano and eventually contralto repertoire before settling into mezzo-soprano under the tutelage of soprano Joanne Bozeman. During her time at Lawrence, Aria performed the demanding role of The Celebrant in Bernstein's Mass, a role written for and traditionally sung by baritones or tenors, where she was double cast with a baritone. This fully immersive production, directed by Copeland Woodruff and conducted by Maestro Andy Mast, collaborated with deaf actor Robert Schleifer, with all performers signing in American Sign Language. Following the success of the production, Mass was awarded 3rd Place in the National Opera Association - Best Opera Production and 3rd Prize in The American Prize - Opera Production (2020). Aria then was a Washington District Winner at the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition (2019), a Finalist in Eugene Opera's Vocal Competition (2019), Semi-Finalist in The American Prize in Chamber Music - Professional Division and Teatro Grattacielo's Camerata Bardi International Vocal Competition (2020), and 2nd Prize Winner of Seattle Opera Guild's Singers' Development Awards (2020). Ms. Minasian went on to receive the Full Merit Scholarship from the University of Michigan for her Master of Music in Vocal Performance, where she graduated with a 4.0, debuted five new operatic roles, won an Encouragement Award at the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition in the Western Canada District, won First Place in the Friends of Opera Competition, and was a recipient of the Tuesday Musicale of Detroit scholarship. Aria then received the Full Merit Scholarship once again from the University of Michigan to continue her studies as a Specialist in Music in Vocal Performance, working with mezzo-soprano Freda Herseth, graduating in the spring of 2024 with a 4.0, debuting six operatic roles, being a Vocal Fellow in Thomas Hampson's American Song Institute (2022), winning an Encouragement Award in the Sam Vitale & Aaron Caruso Neapolitan Song Competition, winning the Grand Prize in the Patricia Crump Vocal Competition (2023), and winning the prestigious George Shirley Award in 2024.
Aria recently made house debuts with Pacific Symphony as Giovanna in Verdi's Rigoletto, conducted by Maestro Carl St. Clair and directed by Kathleen Belcher, and with Dexter Community Orchestra as the Alto Soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 led by Maestro David Schultz. Ms. Minasian can be heard on recordings of An Anthology of African and African Diaspora Songs, recorded in 2021 with collaborative pianist Dr. Sara Chiesa, featured on Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation and Song of America. The recording project was created by Dr. Louise Toppin, who created the anthology, and led Aria to a passion for uplifting BIPOC composers and their works; since then, Aria has performed in numerous concerts featuring Black composers’ works, such as the Singing Down the Barriers Concert and Workshop (2021 & 2022), and continues to support this powerful and essential music by programming these pieces on recitals and concerts to bring more attention to the beautiful works by these underrepresented composers.
A true testament of her devotion to the art form was in the summer of 2021, where Aria successfully organized a staged concert version of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. The production, where she handled scheduling, organizing, directing, and producing, while also performing as Dorabella, she also negotiated to be fully funded thanks to her tenacity and the support of the University of Michigan Department of Voice & Opera. The cast and team included Aria’s long-time collaborative pianist John Morefield and Dr. Natalie Sherer, as well as bass-baritone Alan Williams, baritone Logan Dell’Acqua, soprano Greta Groothuis, tenor Nicholas Music, and soprano Dr. Colleen Cole Beucher, each of whom have gone on to perform at prestigious programs and companies, as well as hold positions at top academic institutions.
Introduced to the wonder and power of music at a young age, thanks to her grandparents and parents’ love of everything from Yo-Yo Ma to The Beatles, to Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, and Etta James, Aria began her musical journey as a classical pianist, training for over a decade and winning awards before finding her passion for opera. Ms. Minasian has an extensive background in vocal pedagogy, receiving her training from Professor Ken Bozeman and Professor Joanne Bozeman in vocal acoustics and pedagogy, and Dr. Karen Leigh-Post in studies on the brain and mind-body relationship, and optimal performance.
Though a typical day for her includes rehearsals, practice sessions, coachings, and the occasional artistic epiphany, when not on stage or studying, Aria loves going for hikes, practicing yoga, spending time with friends, family, and her two dogs, and is a deeply committed Mariners baseball fan.