Caroline McKenzie

Voice Part: Soprano II

Season you joined the Chorale: 2008-09

Birthplace (state or country): New York, NY! (Yankees fan)

Education/Vocal Training: Romance Languages, Princeton; mostly private vocal training

Do you make your living as a musician? By half, yes

If not, what else do you do as a “day job”? Own/operate a dedicated English tutoring service

Where else do you sing NOW? Just finished two years at First Congregational Church, L.A.

Recent solo roles or guest appearances: Marian Anderson in Maurice Kitchen’s Voices: A Legacy to Remember at the Wilshire Ebell (Sept 2010)

Recordings/TV/Film: Christmas with Caroline

Highlights of your musical career: Shabat welcome service for Nelson Mandela; Duke Ellington Centennial at the Tarrytown Music Hall; “Operater” at Chorus America, Zipper Hall

Favorite choral work: Eric Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs

A defining moment or favorite onstage experience: Schubert Ave Maria at Ace in the Hole Productions Christmas Show—at the end of the song, I opened my eyes and the entire audience was on its feet. I thank Will and Marilyn Roy for that experience.

What are you listening to these days? Would you believe Shawn Kirchner’s Meet Me on the Mountain? Keep on my mp3 Handel, Telemann, Bach, Palestrina…the usual Baroque suspects; Mary J. Blige, Maria Callas, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin; Native American flutes; and love Edna Tatum on a Sunday morning

Anything you’d like to add about yourself?: Married to Ken Robinson who plays percussion every Monday night at Canter’s Deli on Fairfax. I love my life!