Cheri Stark, Soprano - Professional Bio

Cheri Stark is the kind of vibrant and entertaining performer that can make audiences smile, laugh, cry and fall in love with music all over again. Trained at USC's Thornton School of Music, this opera singer is also an incredible actress, artist, songwriter and life coach for performing artists.

Cheri has performed with USC Opera, Chamber Opera of USC, Intimate Opera Company, Repertory Opera Company, Fresno Opera League, and the California Opera Association. Cheri recently sang with the La Mirada Symphony, The Desert Community Orchestra, and performed the west coast premiere of "Songs from Baptism" by Peter Schickele with the world-famous Armadillo Quartet. Cheri currently sings with the Long Beach Opera Educational outreach program in the one-woman opera, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

In August 2008, Cheri received her Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is now launching an educational coaching practice called “The Thriving Artist Experience” to help performers overcome stage fright and go for their dreams whole-heartedly.

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Extended Biography:

Soprano Cheri Stark is praised as an artist of depth and grace.  Ms. Stark’s lyrical and versatile voice easily lends itself to opera, musical theater, jazz, and spiritual repertoire. She focuses upon the story-telling and emotion within each piece while maintaining a calm, expressive stage presence.

Born and raised in Fresno, California, Ms. Stark started voice lessons at the age of five and has since been involved with over thirty theater and musical productions. She received her Bachelor’s of Music degree in Vocal Arts at USC’s prestigious Thornton School of Music. At USC, Ms. Stark participated in the operas Cendrillon, The Rake’s Progress, Hansel and Gretel, and The Magic Flute. With the Chamber Opera of USC (COUSC), Ms. Stark sang the role of Pamela in the world-premiere, Broken Pieces (2005). She co-produced and sang the role of Cook in the world-premiere of The Stone House, commissioned by COUSC in 2006.

Ms. Stark has gained valuable operatic performance experience with USC Opera, The Chamber Opera of USC, Long Beach Opera, The Intimate Opera Company, Repertory Opera Company, Fresno Opera League and the California Opera Association.  Ms. Stark is currently performing with the Long Beach Opera’s educational outreach program singing in the one-woman opera, "The Diary of Anne Frank" and appeared in their January 2009 production of "The Cunning Little Vixen."

Integral with her performing career, Cheri Stark is also a life coach for performing artists.  In August 2008, Ms. Stark graduated from the University of Santa Monica with her Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology. She is the creator of an educational seminar series for performing artists called “The Thriving Artist Experience,” to address issues such as stage fright, perfectionism, and the inner critic.  Ms. Stark guides workshops and works with individuals to transform their experience of performing-- leading to greater inner and outer success.