Vocalist Aryssa Leigh Burrs is hailed for her “rich sound and thoughtful musical ideas'' while “transcending vocal styles and genres with flexibility and ease.”
In the 22/23 season, Ms. Burrs has been seen with InSeriesOpera as Orpheus/Speranza (“Nightsong of Orpheus”), Requiem, and “Ordering of Moses.” Ms. Burrs spent the Summer '21 season as an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera. While with CCO, she performed a solo Al Fresco Concert, covered the role of Sorceress in “Dido and Aeneas”, and was a featured ensemble member in a paired down production of “Carousel.”
Aryssa will return this year as a Resident Artist with Opera Columbus-Capital University, where she was seen singing the role of Zerlinain their spring 2021 production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Other recent engagements include Elvis Costello’s “The Juliet Letters” with UrbanArias and Mame Dennis in “Mameat The Seagle Festival.” Zerlinain in their spring production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Other recent engagements include Elvis Costello’s “The Juliet Letters” with UrbanArias and Mame Dennis in “Mameat The Seagle Festival.”
Ms. Burrs is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, where she obtained a Masters of Music in Voice and Opera Performance. At Northwestern, she performed in numerous opera productions (Orlofsky, “Die Fledermaus”; Captain, “Dog Days”; Baba the Turk, “The Rake’s Progress”), while also appearing as a soloist with various choral and orchestral ensembles (“Am I born”, David T. Little; “Terra Nostra”, Stacy Garrop; “The Branch Will Not Break”, Christopher Cerrone). Ms. Burrs was selected as a Quarterfinalist in the 2022 American Traditions Competition.
As she is committed to using music for cultural and social justice causes, one of Ms. Burrs’ most cherished performances includes her orchestral debut with the Charlotte Symphony as a featured soloist with the acclaimed drag queen production of “Thorgy and the Thorchestra.” During the pandemic, Aryssa Leigh got to continue to hone her passion for progressive concert work and a lifelong interest in exploring musical styles through story and song. In January '21, Aryssa created, produced, and performed in the virtual debut performance of her concert entitled “Identify”, which raised funds for the non-profit organization “Phenomenal Womxn.” Aryssa is now the founder of “ALB Produces”, a community and production company that will present a season of “Concerts and Conversations” with the intent of creating art in all forms to build conversations around the human experience.
Ms. Burrs holds both a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in Choral/General Music from the University of Maryland in College Park.