Shanelle Valerie Woods

Style: Pop; Opera; Gospel; Classical; Musical Theatre

Title: Teaching Artist

Bio:

A well versed educator and performer, soprano Shanelle Valerie Woods musical theater and opera credits include: the title role in Bizet’s CARMEN, Tituba (THE CRUCIBLE), Ronnie (HAIR), The Judge in the world premiere of STOMPING GROUNDS - a hip-hopera commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival, Jeanette in the Colour of Music Festival production of L'AMANT ANONYME, and a double feature with Spoleto Festival USA as Kentucky Kate in AFRAM OU LA BELLE SWITA and Annie in PORGY AND BESS. Most recently, she performed the role of Jenny Diver in City Lyric Opera’s digital and interactive production of Kurt Weill’s THREEPENNY OPERA, and sang the role of Alma Stinney in the southeastern premiere of Stinney: An American Execution, a new opera written by Frances Pollock and Tia Price. In June of 2022, Ms. Woods worked with BARE Opera, in collaboration with National Sawdust, to premiere the song cycle FIRESONGS. In the fall of 2022, Ms. Woods made her debut with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as a featured soloist , and presented a recital of contemporary, solo voice works at Fordham University entitled, Voices Up: Full Spectrum, aimed at celebrating the works of lesser known, female, and/or BIPOC composers.

Previously having worked on the voice faculties of Charleston Southern University , Claflin University, and most recently, New York University, Shanelle is now the Education and Vocal Area Program Manager for the Grammy nominated and Emmy Award winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City. In service to her profession, Shanelle felt spurred to take action within the artistic community in a way that specifically benefits black and brown students. Recognizing the innate gifts that many of these students already possess, she resolved to remove at least one barrier of entry to musical study, by offering free voice lessons to these students, 10 - 18 years old. Borrowing the name of the Kwanzaa principle regarding collective work and responsibility, and the need to take on the problems of the community and make them your own, Shanelle has now been offering these free ‘Ujima Sessions’ since the summer of 2020.

For future updates, please visit Shanelle via www.shanellevaleriewoods.com, on Instagram: @shanelle.woods or on Facebook @ShanelleValerieWoods.

Voice Type: Soprano

Music Styles Taught: Pop; Opera; Gospel; Classical; Musical Theatre

Availability: I am available as a performer; I have a wait-list for private lessons; I am currently accepting private students; I am available as a clinician or presenter

Contact Information