Yvonne René Dechance

PREPARATION AND TRAINING

Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance, Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy, The University of Texas at Austin. Bachelor of Arts, Voice and Theater emphasis, Whitworth College

Vocal Studies with Martha Deatherage, Randi Von Ellefson, Maurine Kalk, and Robert Brannan. Vocal Coaching with Gerard Souzay, Mignon Dunn, Gilda Cruz-Romo, and David Garvey.

Acting Training with Robert DeSimone, Rick Hornor, and Dorothy Darby Smith

Dance Training with Patricia Neil and Betty Kubiak

RECITAL PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Guest recitalist, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana – May 2008

• Guest recitalist, Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina – March 2008

• Guest recitalist, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas – February 2008

• An Exotic Evening, Kiwanis Scholarship Fundraiser Concert, United Community Church, Sun City, Florida – January 2008

• Performer, Faculty Salon Recital, Grand Salon, historic Plant Hall, Tampa, Florida – March 2007

• Sure on this Shining Night: Songs from the Thrilling Thirties, commissioned for the 75th anniversary of The University of Tampa, Grand Salon, historic Plant Hall, Tampa, Florida – premiered October, 2006; Kiwanis International Fundraiser performance January 2007.

• Lecture-recitalist, “Cabaret: Theater of the Mind to Theater of the Masses,” Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee – January 2007

• Guest Artist, Chairman’s Ball, Riverside, Tampa, Florida – November, 2006.

• Recitalist and Clinician, University of Wisconsin-Superior – August 2006

• Schubertiad, Grand Salon, historic Plant Hall, Tampa, Florida–2005.

• Lecture-recitalist, "Songs and Society: Pop Music at the Turn of the (Twentieth) Century," (academic version) Festival 500: Sharing the Voices International Academic Symposium, Newfoundland, Canada– 2005.

• Lecture-recitalist, "Songs and Society: Pop Music at the Turn of the (Twentieth) Century" (student version), The University of Tampa Honors Symposia Series --2005.

• Musical Curiosities: Parlor Song Treasures of the Tampa Bay Hotel Era 1890-1930, Grand Salon, historic Plant Hall. Sponsored by the Henry Plant Museum, Tampa, Florida – 2004; Thematic Recital

• Guest Artist, Hillsborough Community College Fanfare Winds and University of Tampa Wind Ensemble Concert, Ybor City, Florida – 2004

• Soprano Soloist with The University of Tampa Wind Ensemble, Dr. Jeffrey Traster, conductor. "O del mio amato ben" and "Italian Street Song," Tampa, Florida&– 2004

• MoonSongs 2, Allen N. Reeves Theater, Tampa, Florida– 2004; Thematic Recital

• Soprano Soloist, The University of Tampa Minaret Society 30th Anniversary Gala, Tampa, Florida --2003.

• Hark, The Echoing Air, Allen N. Reeves Theater, Tampa, Florida– 2003

• Solost, Inaugural Recital for the Dedication of Allen N. Reeves Theater, Tampa, Florida– 2002

• Soloist, Dechance Winter Holiday Studio Recital, Reston, Virginia– 2001

• Performed Nancy Bloomer Deussen's "Two American Songs" at the NATS Summer Workshop: "Contemporary American Art Song and Chamber Opera in Study and Performance,"Penn State University, Pennsylvania – 2001; also at the California Concert of Works by Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Menlo Park, California– 1998

• Soloist, Dechance Spring Studio Recital: "MIDIs in May," Reston, Virginia – 2001

• Guest Recitalist, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas– 2000

• Soloist, New Bern Friends of ECU Scholarship Fundraising Concert, New Bern, North Carolina– 1998

• Soloist, East Carolina University Faculty Concert, North Carolina State National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions, Greenville, North Carolina– 1998

• Lucky to be Me: A Tribute to Humor in Song, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina – 1998; University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas– 1992 (world premiere). Nominated for Roy Crane Award for Creativity in the Performing Arts, 1993

• The Potpourri Program, Sponsored Recital, Palo Alto, California – October 1997

• Soloist, Dechance Fall Studio Recital, Austin, Texas– 1996

• Moonsongs: A Vocal Exploration of the Moon, The University of Texas at Austin – April 1995; Sponsored Thematic Recital John Brown University, Siloam Springs, Arkansas – June 1995

• A Koncert for Kids, Austin Erwin Center, Austin, Texas– October 1995

• La Chanteuse au Gant: The Influence of Cabaret on Art Song, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas– 1994; Lecture-Recital

• Solo Performer, Gala Recital, Austin Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Austin, Texas -- 1994

• Solo Performer, "A Cole Porter Entertainment Gala," Austin, Texas – 1994

• Insects and Animals, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas- 1993; Thematic Recital

• Performed Bernstein's "Glitter and Be Gay" and "Who am I?", David Garvey Studio Recital, Austin, Texas– 1991

• Portraits of the Commedia, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas – 1991; Thematic Recital

• Performer, Gala Recital, Austin Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Austin, Texas– 1990

OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATER ROLES

University of Tampa Gala Project

Opera Buffet Scene Performances

Lamplighters Music Theater

Children of Light Theater

Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin

Gilbert & Sullivan Society Scene Performances

• Aline - The Sorcerer, 1994
• Mabel - Pirates of Penzance, 1990
• Yum Yum - The Mikado, 1990

University of Texas at Austin Opera Theater

• One-woman show Lucky to be Me - 1993; 1992 (world premiere)
• Featured soloist in Easy to Love musical theater tribute - 1992 (world premiere)
• Villager - Chipita Rodriquez, 1993 (world premiere)
• Damigella - The Coronation of Poppea, 1989
• Villager - The Merry Widow, 1990
• Dormouse - Alice in Wonderland, 1988
• Servant - The Boor, 1989 (world premiere)
• Townsperson - La Boheme, 1989
• Violin student/ Graduation girl - Street Scene, 1988

University of Texas at Austin Opera Theater Scene Performances

• Zdenka - Arabella, 1992
• Lady Harriet - Martha, 1992
• Blanche - Louise, 1992
• Nannetta - Falstaff, 1992
• Juliette - Romeo et Juliette, 1990
• Marie - La Fille du Regiment, 1990
• Tatyana - Eugene Onegin, 1990
• Susanna - The Marriage of Figaro, 1989
• Yum Yum - The Mikado, 1988

Whitworth College Opera

• Esther - Esther, 1987 (world premiere)
• Amahl - Amahl and the Night Visitors, 1985
• Housewife - Damn Yankees, 1987
• Gracie Shinn - The Music Man, 1984

Whitworth College Opera Scene Performances

• Queen of the Night - The Magic Flute, 1988
• Miss Sweetsong - The Impressario, 1988

Spokane Civic Theater

RECORDINGS AND RELEASES

• Classical FUN Music, soprano solo artist, 2004

• Video: The Vocalist Holiday Concert. Costlow Productions, 1999

• Video: The Inaugural Vocalist Concert. Max Orwin Productions, 1998

• Film Soundtrack Solo Artist, "Sub City," 1995

MASTER CLASS PERFORMANCES

Mattiwilda Dobbs Master Classes - 1995

Samuel Sanders Master Class - 1994

Gérard Souzay Bi-Weekly Public Master Classes - 1988-91

Martin Katz Master Class - 1992

Spenser Caroll Master Class - 1991

Nico Castel Master Class - 1990

Alyce Rogers Master Class - 1986

Leonard Martin Master Class - 1984

PERFORMANCES WITH INSTRUMENTAL OR CHORAL ENSEMBLE

• Soprano/Treble Soloist, John Ireland’s “Greater Love Hath No Man” with the Sun City United Community Church Choir - 2007

• Soprano Soloist, Donaudy's "O del mio amato ben" and Victor Herbert's "Italian Street Song" with The University of Tampa Wind Ensemble - 2004

• Soprano Soloist, Vaughan Williams' "Mass in G" with the Austin Choral Union - 1994

• Performer, Matt Ingalls' "Dagger of the Mind" - 1994 (world premiere)

• Vocal Soloist, Strandberg's "A Cockroach Approach" - 1994

• Soloist, Schwantner's "Sparrows" with Texas New Music Ensemble - 1993

• Soloist, Cage's "Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs" with Texas New Music Ensemble - 1992

• Soloist, Barney Childs' "Any Five" with Texas New Music Ensemble - 1992

• Soloist, Copland’s "In the Beginning" Whitworth Touring Choir - 1985-86;1987

• Soloist, Britten’s "Festival Te Deum" Whitworth Touring Choir - 1986-87

• Soloist, Brahms’ "Liebeslieder Waltzer" Whitworth Touring Choir - 1985

• Soloist, Mozart’s "Laudate Dominum" Whitworth Touring Choir - 1985

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

• Soloist, Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Tampa, Florida – 2005-present.

• Guest Soloist, United Community Church, Sun City, Florida – 2007

• Director, Gala Project Scenes Program, Tampa, Florida – 2005-2007

• Conductor, The University of Tampa Glee Club, Tampa, Florida -- 2002-2003

• Soloist, Sacred Heart Church, Tampa, Florida – 2003

• Guest Conductor and Soloist, St. Mark's Methodist Church, Austin, Texas – 1994

• Substitute Soloist, Church of Christ, Scientist, Austin, Texas – 1988

• Guest Conductor and Soloist, Shadle Park Presbyterian Church, Spokane, Washington – 1988

• Student Conductor, Whitworth College Touring Choirs – 1987-1988

• Soloist and Student Conductor, Whitworth Summer Choral Workshop – 1988

• Vocal Participant, Whitworth Summer Choral Workshops – 1986-88

• Soloist, 3rd Church of Christ, Scientist, Spokane, Washington – 1987-88

• Soloist, 1st Church of Christ, Scientist, Spokane, Washington – 1986-88

• Soloist, 2nd Church of Christ, Scientist, Spokane, Washington – 1985-88

SPECIAL SKILLS

Piano and Harpsichord, Fencing, Tap Dancing, Conducting, Diction and Foreign Languages, Sewing and Costume Construction, Improvisational Acting.

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