Tony Winning Actress Kelli O’Hara holds Master Class for local students

As part of the voice student training at the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan, they participate in master classes taught by professional artists. In March, Kelli O’Hara, considered one of Broadway’s great leading ladies, held a master class with the Conservatory’s students. Critiquing and improving performances, O’Hara also shared anecdotes of her profession and personal vocal education experiences with the students.

“Kelli, who is one of the most beautiful musical theatre artists on Broadway is also an incredible vocal instructor. She was able to connect with and inspire each of our students. This was an experience they will always remember”, explained Melody Libonati, the Conservatory’s director.

O’Hara, recently won the Tony for Best Musical Actress in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. Her performance in the musical adaptation of The Bridges of Madison County earned her Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Additionally, she starred as Mrs. Darling in NBC’s live telecast of Peter Pan alongside Allison Williams and Christian Borle, and on New Year’s Eve, Kelli made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the production of The Merry Widow with Renee Fleming. This spring she will be performing in ‘Cosi fan tutte’ at the Metropolitan Opera in.

A native of Oklahoma, Kelli O’Hara received a degree in opera, and after winning the State Metropolitan Opera Competition. She made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde (with Jodi Bryce Stevens who also teaches at the Conservatory) and followed it with Sondheim’s Follies, Sweet Smell of Success opposite John Lithgow, and Dracula. The Light in the Piazza earned Kelli her first Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. She joined Harry Connick Jr. on Broadway in the 2006 Tony award-winning production of The Pajama Game, for which Kelli received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations. Kelli starred in the Tony Award-winning revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center garnering Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations. Also with Matthew Broderick in Broadway's musical comedy Nice Work if You Can Get it, earning Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations, as well as the Fred Astaire Nomination for dance.

Students from across Fairfield County attend The Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan. Now in its fourteenth year, the Conservatory provides classes in voice, acting, dance, piano, guitar and musical theatre taught from pre-school through adult. The instructors are experienced professional working artists who offer quality instruction in a nurturing environment. This June and July the Conservatory offers one-week musical theatre camps with performances in its theatre.

More info about the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan on Facebook or PerformingArtsConservatory.com

Photo credit 1: Conservatory master class: Kelli O’Hara with student Allison Demers

Photo credit 2: Kelli O’Hara 2nd from left, Conservatory Students: Allison Demers, Tessa Piontkowski (New Canaan) and Erin Bronner (Wilton)