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 most recently performed a role debut as Célie in Pasatieri's comedy: Signor Deluso with Stony Brook Opera this past November, 2022. Ms. Schneider appears in a variety of masterwork concerts and recently was heard as the soprano soloist for the Choral Society of the Hamptons' exciting production of Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass in June of 2022. Operatic roles include Miss Wordsworth (Britten's Albert Herring 2022), Silvia (Haydn's L'isola disabitata 2021), Constance (Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites 2020), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas 2019 & 2016). Ms. Schneider has been additionally heard with Stony Brook Opera in partial roles such as Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro 2021), Sophie (Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier 2021), Lucia (Britten's The Rape of Lucretia 2020), Marzelline (Beethoven's Fidelio 2020), and Zdenka (Strauss' Arabella 2019). Ms Schneider has sung with Stony Brook Opera, Kollective 366, The Hillman Opera, Nickel City Opera, The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and has been heard at various venues in the NYC Metropolitan area, Long Island, and her hometown: Buffalo, New York. She looks forward to debuting the partial role of Zerbinetta (Strauss' Ariadne) with Stony Brook Opera this coming spring (2023).
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 soprano Catherine Sandstedt 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). Additional notable Baroque works include Bach's "Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt" BWV 151, and Schütz's "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen" (trio) SWV 366.
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 Kyle Krause as he composes his new opera based on the plot of 1890's novel: The Time Machine. Ms. Schneider has also collaborated with composer David Crowell, recording his piece: "Two Kinds of Bells". (2020) Schneider 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). Ms. Schneider has both conducted and sang on Stony Brook University's annual beloved production of Handel's Messiah (2018 & 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, and in addition to performing, Ms. Schneider served as the Executive Producer of SOTA's annual Spring Opera Scenes event held at the historic 1891 Fredonia Opera House (2016).
Ms. Schneider is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree in Voice Performance at Stony Brook University. Despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, Schneider graduated with a Master's Degree within the Vocal Performance program at Stony Brook University in May of 2020. Ms. Schneider is currently under the tutelage of Dr. Jeremy Little. Little holds degrees from Louisiana State University, The Juilliard School, and Stony Brook University, and sings with The Metropolitan Opera.