Heidi Schneider is an American soprano currently based on Long Island, New York. Schneider has been praised for her "incredibly wide" range and ease of production (Brett Alan, WYRK) and has recently made a role debut as Célie in Pasatieri's comedy: Signor Deluso with Stony Brook Opera in November of 2022. Ms. Schneider has also recently performed as the soprano soloist for the Choral Society of the Hamptons' exciting production of Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass in June of 2022. Other notable recent Master Work engagements include soloing with Kollective366 on their exciting October 2022 concert entitled: “Mozart at the Salzburg Cathedral” which featured Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and Coronation Mass. Miss Schneider has been heard with Stony Brook Opera in their annual Opera Scenes programs as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro (2021), Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier (2021) and Constance in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites in February of 2020, right before the COVID-19 Pandemic began. Additionally, Ms. Schneider prepared the role of Elisa in Stony Brook Opera's production of Mozart's Il Re Pastore April, 2019. Ms. Schneider sang as Belinda in Dido and Aeneas in 2019 with Stony Brook Opera. (Other portrayals of Belinda include Ms. Schneider's debut with The Hillman Opera in the 2016 production of Dido and Aeneas.) Ms. Schneider has notably performed scenes from Strauss's Arabella as Zdenka, Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment as Marie, and Berlioz’s Béatrice et Bénédict as Beatrice, again, with Stony Brook Opera on their annual Opera Scenes event (2018-2019). Ms. Schneider looks forward to presenting a daring recital this season at The Staller Center for The Arts in October of 2023. The concert will feature both contemporary works by Kyle Krause, and will be juxtaposed with Richard Strauss’ Sechs Lieder, Op.68, (Commonly referred to as The Brentano Lieder) on the latter half of the program. The program will feature use of varied sound technologies, A.I. generated art, and interpretive dance by skilled dancer and mezzo-soprano: Natasha Nelson.
Ms. Schneider attended the Virginia Baroque Performance Academy in June 2019, and was honored to have been coached by esteemed early music specialists, especially: acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Judith Malafronte. Whilst in Virginia, Schneider sang Schütz's "Herr unser Herrscher" SWV 343 in a small ensemble. Ms. Schneider also worked with celebrated harpsichordist, Arthur Haas, by whom she is also coached regularly at Stony Brook University, during Professor Haas' Baroque Ensemble course.
Ms. Schneider has performed Purcell's "O Dive Custos" - Elegy on the Death of Queen Mary in tandem with Dr. Catherine Sandstedt, soprano, and the Stony Brook Baroque Players (2018). Ms. Schneider has been heard in Buffalo, NY at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church performing J.S. Bach's “Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten” BWV 59 for Pentecost, in tandem with baritone Timothy Flynn, and directed by Choirmaster, Justin T. Pomietlarz (2018). Ms. Schneider has also performed "Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt" BWV 151, and Schütz's "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen" (trio) SWV 366 with the Stony Brook Baroque Players (2019).
In addition to standard repertoire, Ms. Schneider enjoys performing contemporary works and collaborating with living composers, her most recent endeavor being with new music composer David Crowell, recording his piece: "Two Kinds of Bells". (2020) She is also an enthusiastic jazz singer, and has most recently transcribed and recorded two Ella Fitzgerald solos: Cottontail and Airmail Special.
Ms. Schneider currently cantors at Calvary Lutheran Church in Hauppauge, NY. She has recently served as the director of Kantorei, the premier vocal ensemble at Calvary, for the 2019-20 choral season. Kantorei performed publicly in February (2020) at the annual "Ziti with Your Sweetie" event at Calvary Lutheran Church.
As a graduate of Fredonia University with a bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Education (2017), Ms. Schneider is proud to have been a part of many large choral productions during her collegiate career. One of her proudest moments was performing Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of the late Dr. Gerald Gray. Other choral experiences include serving as the Student Conductor for the Fredonia University Chorus in 2016, under the direction of Dr. Vernon Huff (Director of Choral Activities). Most recently, Ms. Schneider has both conducted and sang on Stony Brook University's annual abbreviated production of Handel's Messiah (2018), and continued this tradition as the Soprano Soloist for Handel's Messiah with the Stony Brook Orchestra in 2019.
In addition to her performance opportunities at Fredonia University, Ms. Schneider was elected Vice President of the Student Opera Theatre Association (SOTA) for the 2015-2016 academic year. As Vice President, Ms. Schneider served as the Producer of SOTA's annual Spring Opera Scenes event held at the historic 1891 Fredonia Opera House. (Spring 2016)
Ms. Schneider is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree in Voice Performance at Stony Brook University. Ms. Schneider graduated with a Master's Degree within the Vocal Performance program at Stony Brook University in 2020. Ms. Schneider is currently under the tutelage of newly-appointed voice teacher, Dr. Jeremy Little. Dr. Little holds degrees from Louisiana State University, The Juilliard School, and Stony Brook University, and sings for The Metropolitan Opera (both as a principal artist and as a member of the Met Chorus).