Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller

Seegmiller was born Lisa Hopkins in Simi Valley, California, and grew up in various places throughout the United States and Canada from Los Angeles to Manhattan, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Utah.Winn, Steven. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2002/09/29/PK151744.DTL "About the Mimis and Rodolfos"], San Francisco Chronicle, September 29, 2002 Her mother is a Juilliard-trained pianist with whom she has collaborated.Schulman, Michael. [https://archive.today/20130210080852/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/6788?badlink=1 "Hopkins '01 heads off to Broadway"], Yale Daily News, February 7, 2003, Retrieved on July 8, 2008 She attended the Waterford School in Sandy, Utah,At the Waterford School, Seegmiller won an Emerson Prize in 1998 for [http://www.tcr.org/tcr/essays/EPrize_Jefferson.pdf her essay] on Thomas Jefferson. and began to study voice at age 16.

Seegmiller received her B.A. in Theater Studies and Acting from Yale University in 2001. After her freshman year at Yale, she studied at the Scuola Insieme in Grado, Italy. The following summer she played the role of Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera at the Chautauqua Institution Music Festival.[http://guybarzilayartists.com/artist.asp?ID=3 Lisa Hopkins' profile at agent's site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029013558/http://www.guybarzilayartists.com/artist.asp?ID=3 |date=2006-10-29 }} Upon her return to Yale her sophomore year, she founded the Yale College Opera Company, playing Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare and performing Poulenc's one-woman opera, La Voix Humaine for her senior project. She also sang the role of Casilda in The Gondoliers for Yale's Gilbert and Sullivan Society, among other roles.[http://www.ldsfilm.com/bio/bioH3.html Lisa Hopkins' profile at the LDS "film personalities" site] Between her junior and senior years at Yale, Seegmiller took a break to perform on tour as a soprano soloist in 21 multimedia spiritual concerts in Graz, Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Vienna, Austria, while serving as a missionary for the LDS ChurchDudley, David. [https://www.cedarcityutah.com/news/archive/2021/06/06/ddy-lifting-audiences-to-heaven-through-singing-lisa-seegmiller-on-finding-her-voice "Lifting audiences to heaven through song: Lisa Seegmiller found her voice"], Cedar City News, June 6, 2021

She received her M.M. in Classical Voice from the Manhattan School of Music in 2003, where she studied with Marlena Malas. In the summer of 2004, she studied at the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel with Trish McCaffrey.

In 2002–03, while Seegmiller completed her Master's Degree, she appeared on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann's production of La bohème in the leading role of Mimi,Baker, Celia R. [http://www.bazthegreatsite.com/labohemearticles6.htm "Down-Home Diva"], The Salt Lake Tribune, March 16, 2003, Retrieved on July 8, 2008 sharing in a special ensemble Tony Award. Ben Brantley of The New York Times noted, "The principals are, to a person, sexy, vital, utterly committed to the moment.... [At] the end of Act III... Jesús Garcia and Lisa Hopkins are affectingly somber... with resigned postures that suggest a haunted awareness of doom.... They brought tears to my eyes."Brantley, Ben. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D01EFD61E3BF93AA35751C1A9649C8B63&sec=&pagewanted=print "Sudden Streak of Red Warms a Cold Garret"], New York Times, December 9, 2002, Retrieved on July 8, 2008 Seegmiller also appears on the production's cast album, singing the final act, and she sang excerpts from the role at the televised performance during the 2003 Tony Awards ceremony at Radio City Music Hall.

Seegmiller was the soprano soloist in the Mozart Requiem and Mozart's Exsultate, jubilate with the Utah Symphony and Opera at the 2004 Deer Valley Music Festival. She was chosen to present a solo recital in March 2005, on the Marilyn Horne Foundation roster, at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City as part of the "On Wings of Song" series.[http://www.nycago.org/Calendar/Cal-Mar05.html Concert schedule] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927045007/http://www.nycago.org/Calendar/Cal-Mar05.html |date=2007-09-27 }} The same year, she created the role of Arianna in the U.S. premiere of Arianna in Creta with the Gotham Chamber Opera in New York City and played Cio-Cio San as a guest artist in a production of Madama Butterfly at the University of Nebraska. In 2006, Seegmiller received critical praise as Donna Anna in Don Juan in Prague, an avant-garde adaptation of Don Giovanni, first performed in October 2006 at the Prague National Theatre and then in December 2006 at the BAM New Wave Festival in Brooklyn, New York. Newsday wrote, "The only member of the cast to escape the director's unmusical ministrations was Lisa Hopkins, who, as Donna Anna, managed to ignore the squeezebox screeches coming from the pit and speakers and deliver a sensitive lament."Davidson, Justin. [http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/opera-review-1.529980 "Roll over, Mozart: Your Don Giovanni is wailing"]. Newsday, December 15, 2006, accessed January 6, 2011

In 2007, Opera News called Seegmiller "the kind of camera-ready young singer today's marketing directors dream of. ... Fortunately, unlike all too many so-termed 'total package' artists these days [she] can also sing."Opera News, April 2007 She sang the role of Sofia in Rossini's one-act opera Il Signor Bruschino with Gotham Chamber Opera in January 2007.Schweitzer, Vivien. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/arts/music/27goth.html?ex=1327554000&en=10b4a8beb7792ed3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Young Lovers, a Vespa and a Frolic by Rossini"], The New York Times, January 27, 2007, Retrieved on July 8, 2008. Backstage commented on the performance, "soprano Lisa Hopkins as Sofia proves a deft comedian while singing with impressive flair."Forbes, Harry. [http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003538986 "Il Signor Bruschino"], Backstage.com, January 29, 2007, Retrieved on July 8, 2008 Seegmiller was also selected as a Wolf Trap Opera Company Filene Young Artist,[http://www.wolftrap.org/Opera/History/FYA_Alumni.aspx "Filene Young Artist Alumni"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704062331/http://www.wolftrap.org/Opera/History/FYA_Alumni.aspx |date=2014-07-04 }}, Wolf Trap, accessed July 3, 2014 singing the role of Corvina in John Musto's adaptation of Volpone (June, 2007) and the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte (August, 2007).[http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/ENTERTAINMENT/108200012/1007 "Sound system bedevils 'Flute'"], The Washington Times (review praising the three ladies), August 20, 2007. Retrieved on July 8, 2008 The Washington Post wrote, "Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller, so expressive with her big Bette Davis eyes and fluttery voice, was deliciously funny as Corvina" (in Volpone)Huizenga, Tom. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/24/AR2007062401442.html "'Volpone': Putting On Heirs"], Washington Post, June 25, 2007, p. C05, Retrieved on July 8, 2008 The recording of Volpone (and Seegmiller as a principal soloist) was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-wolf-trap-opera-company-honored-with-grammy-nomination-for-recording-of-john-mustos-volpone-78531357.html "The Wolf Trap Opera Company Honored with Grammy Nomination for Recording of John Musto's Volpone"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007162833/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-wolf-trap-opera-company-honored-with-grammy-nomination-for-recording-of-john-mustos-volpone-78531357.html |date=2012-10-07 }}, prnewswire.com, December 4, 2009 In December 2007, she was the soprano soloist in the Messiah in Greenwich, Connecticut.[http://www.fccog.org/2007OrderOfWorship/071209.pdf "This Season of Gifts"], First Congregational Church of Greenwich website, December 9, 2007, Retrieved on November 12, 2008

In the summer of 2008, Seegmiller was a resident artist at the Greenwich Music Festival, appearing as Amore in Claudio Monteverdi's Return of Ulysses{{cite web|url=http://www.allvoices.com/people/lisa_hopkins/video/42381022-greenwich-music-festival-return-of-ulysses-trailer-2008 |title=Video: Greenwich Music Festival: Return of Ulysses Trailer (2008) part of Lisa Hopkins |accessdate=2014-07-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230022/http://www.allvoices.com/people/lisa_hopkins/video/42381022-greenwich-music-festival-return-of-ulysses-trailer-2008 |archivedate=2014-07-14 }}, Allvoices.com, accessed July 3, 2014 and the soprano soloist in the love songs from Monteverdi's Eighth Book of Madrigals.[http://www.greenwicharts.org/pressreleases/20080609_Monteverdi.pdf "The Greenwich Arts Council presents Monteverdi’s Love Songs: Madrigali Amorosi"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714124905/http://www.greenwicharts.org/pressreleases/20080609_Monteverdi.pdf |date=2014-07-14 }}, 2008 Greenwich Music Festival, June 9, 2008, accessed July 3, 2014 After giving birth to her first child in 2008, Seegmiller returned to the concert stage in May 2009, performing in the Sing for Hope benefit concert at Yale University[http://www.singforhope.org/archives/pastEvents2009/20090515.html Sing for Hope benefit at Yale University]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, singforhope.org, May 15, 2009Keddy, Genevieve Rafter. [http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_SING_FOR_HOPE_Yale_Benefit_20090517 "'Sing for Hope' Yale Benefit"], Broadwayworld.com, May 17, 2009 and the Bernstein MASS with the Utah Symphony.Newton, Catherine Reese. [http://www.utahopera.org/reviews.php?rid=89 "Leaving on a high note: Utah Symphony conductor says musical goodbye"],{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Salt Lake Tribune, May 30, 2009 She was a soprano soloist at the Virginia Arts Festival in Bernstein’s MASS in April 2010.[http://www.virginiaartsfest.com/2011/downloads/pressreleases_2010/Bernteins_Mass_Full_Release.pdf "Leonard Bernstein’s MASS"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221103752/http://virginiaartsfest.com/2011/downloads/pressreleases_2010/Bernteins_Mass_Full_Release.pdf |date=2010-12-21 }}. Virginia Arts Festival, accessed November 6, 2011 From June to August 2010, Seegmiller played Grizabella in Cats at the Tuacahn Amphitheater in Ivins, Utah. The review in The Salt Lake Tribune commented that in the show's signature song, "Memory", she "creates a moment that's beautifully painful ... and melancholy with a glimmer of hope. Her voice seems to penetrate each word of the familiar lyrics, extracting the core meaning".Orellana, Roxana. [http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_15303388 "Tuacahn's Cats revival delivers knock-out 'Memory'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619140610/http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_15303388 |date=2010-06-19 }}. The Salt Lake Tribune, June 16, 2010 In October 2011, Seegmiller performed at the Mentors International 2011 Gala.[http://mentorsinternational.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/jenny-oaks-baker-and-lisa-hopkins-seegmiller-performing-at-mentors-gala/ "Jenny Oaks Baker and Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller Performing at Mentors Gala!"], Mentors International, Wordpress.com, accessed November 6, 2011

In 2013, she revisited the role of Mimi in Utah Lyric Opera's production of La bohèmeWyatt, Michael. [http://www.reichelrecommends.com/utah-lyric-opera-presents-first-rate-la-boheme-2/ "Utah Lyric Opera Presents First Rate La Bohème"], Reichel Recommends, February 9, 2013 and, immediately afterwards, in Sun Valley Opera's production in Idaho.[http://waterfordschool.org/newsletter-internal-articles/internal-newsletter/2013/04/24/alumni-newsletter-spring-2013-class-notes/ "Alumni Newsletter Spring 2013: Class Notes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064256/http://waterfordschool.org/newsletter-internal-articles/internal-newsletter/2013/04/24/alumni-newsletter-spring-2013-class-notes/ |date=2016-03-04 }}, Waterford School, April 24, 2013, accessed July 2, 2013 The following year, she played The Narrator in Tuacahn's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, "exuding a warmth and beauty in her stage presence".Brutsch, Rachel. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150718234357/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865611821/Tuacahn7s-6Joseph7-dances-to-a-different-delightful-beat.html?pg=all "Tuacahn’s Joseph dances to a different, delightful beat"], Deseret News, September 27, 2014, accessed August 4, 2015 In 2016, she played Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan at the Tuacahn.Passey, Brian. [http://www.thespectrum.com/story/life/2016/05/26/peter-pan-and-tarzan-flying-into-tuacahn/84997448 "Peter Pan and Tarzan are flying into Tuacahn"], The Spectrum, May 26, 2016 In 2001 she appeared in several concerts of songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City.Rolfe, Kevin. [https://utahconcertreview.com/the-music-of-andrew-lloyd-webber-eccles-theater "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber May 7, 2021 Eccles Theater"], Utah Concert Review, May 12, 2021 She also performs a one-woman show called "Billboard & Operatic Hits of the Decades".Bossick, Karen. [https://eyeonsunvalley.com/Story_Reader/8634/Sun-Valley-Opera%E2%80%99s-Last-Concert-Was-So-Much-Fun-They%E2%80%99re-Going-Another-Round "Sun Valley Opera's Last Concert Was So Much Fun They’re Going Another Round"], Eye on Sun Valley, August 14, 2021Seegmiller, Lisa. [https://www.lisahopkinsseegmiller.com/bio "Bio"], LisaHopkinsSeegmiller.com, accessed September 9, 2021

Since 2012, Seegmiller has been the Artistic Director of St. George Opera. She continues to sing in concerts,[http://www.saintgeorgewellness.com/community/128-fibonacci-gallery-and-fine-arts-center "Fibonacci Gallery and Fine Arts Center"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140706205520/http://www.saintgeorgewellness.com/community/128-fibonacci-gallery-and-fine-arts-center |date=2014-07-06 }}, St. George Health & Wellness, January 2014; [https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2015/04/09/mother-daughter-duo-joins-heritage-choir-in-a-celebration-of-song/#.VcDyQCjTCSo "Mother-daughter duo joins Heritage Choir in ‘A Celebration of Song’"], StGeorgeutah.com, April 9, 2015; and Bossick, Karen. [https://eyeonsunvalley.com/Story_Reader/8659/Lisa-Hopkins-Seegmiller-Dazzles-in-Heart-Stirring-Concert "Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller Dazzles in Heart Stirring Concert"], Eye on Sun Valley, August 22, 2021 teaches voice privately and is a visiting member of the Voice Faculty at Dixie State University.Seegmiller, Lisa. [http://www.lisaseegmiller.com/vl.aspx "Voice Lessons: Seegmiller Studios"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714133340/http://www.lisaseegmiller.com/vl.aspx |date=2014-07-14 }}, Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller, accessed July 2, 2014

Lisa Seegmiller married Travis Seegmiller in 2006. She lives in St. George, Utah, with her husband and children.[http://www.lisaseegmiller.com/bio.aspx "Hollywood Meets Opera Meets Broadway"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152618/http://www.lisaseegmiller.com/bio.aspx |date=2014-07-14 }}, Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller, accessed 2 July 2014

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120227033021/http://www.lisaseegmiller.com/ Official website]
• {{IBDB name|102036}}
• [https://archive.today/20130210080852/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/6788?badlink=1 Yale Daily News feature on Hopkins from 2003]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184238/http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650203943,00.html "Singer makes European debut" - Deseret News]
• Shiels, Maggie. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2346351.stm Photo of Hopkins as Mimi], BBC News, October 21, 2002
• [http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_SING_FOR_HOPE_Yale_Benefit_20090517 Photos of Hopkins at 2009 Yale-Sing for Hope benefit]

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Category:1978 births

Category:American operatic sopranos

Category:Living people

Category:People from Simi Valley, California

Category:Manhattan School of Music alumni

Category:Latter Day Saints from California

Category:Tony Award winners

Category:Yale University alumni

Category:21st-century American singers

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:Singers from California

Category:Classical musicians from California