As Lisa Drew prepared to move from San Diego to Minneapolis several years ago, a friend gave her a bumper sticker that read: “Killer Alto On Board.” This “Killer Alto” designation has been with Lisa ever since, and you’ll soon find out why.
Lisa’s move here from the west coast proved to be a good one. She’s lived in the Twin Cities now for 15 years and is making a living as a professional musician – a proud accomplishment.
Her Minnesota performing history includes nine years with the Minnesota Opera Company. She discovered opera – and really began her entire musical career – on a high school dare. Lisa was just beginning to explore her love and talent for singing when a group of high school friends invited her to join them for open auditions with the San Diego Opera. “Let’s go!” they said. “Opera? I don’t know anything about opera,” Lisa replied. None-the-less, off she went. Lisa sang “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess for the audition, and got into the chorus.
Nineteen years later, with over 60 opera productions to her credit, Lisa says, “I fell into this art form. I never would have considered opera if I hadn’t gone for the dare.” Her advice to other musicians follows from this experience. “Don’t limit yourself to one particular style, or what’s popular. Explore everything that’s out there.” One good way to do that, Lisa suggests, is through the Hennepin County Library’s online Classical Music Library, which features over 35,000 classical, folk, musicals, soundtracks, opera and world music performances. And it’s free!
Camden’s own “Killer Alto” is now in her fifth season with The Rose Ensemble, recently called “The Twin Cities’ most daring and imaginative vocal ensemble” by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. This group performs Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music. “It’s not what you’re used to hearing every day, but once you’ve heard us, you’ll be hooked!” Lisa says.
Drew is also the alto soloist at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis under the direction of Philip Brunelle. This spring she will be featured as a soloist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in Rochester, and in William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and Experience, with VocalEssence, here in the Twin Cities.
Singing has proven to be a very satisfying career for Lisa. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but there’s so much opportunity in the world of music – and I really enjoy making people smile.”
Lisa Drew lives in Camden with her husband, Bob McClain. In addition to her music career, Lisa manages her own administrative support businesses, Lyrical Business and The PowerPoint Café. Bob is a writer specializing in words for the web. If you have any questions for Lisa she’d enjoying hearing from you at lisa@killeralto.com