Biography
Since making her operatic debut as the three heroines in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Spokane Opera, Kari Ragan is continually praised for her sparkling lyric coloratura voice and dynamic stage presence. In addition, she is acclaimed as a crossover singer, having the ability to sing beautifully in Oratorio, Opera or the Musical Theatre genre. Other operatic roles include Giannetta in L’Elisir D’Amore with both Opera Idaho and Helena Symphony, Frasquita in Carmen with Washington East Opera, and the Oregon premiere of Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera as Serpetta. In Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel she performed the role of Gretel with both Lyric Opera Northwest and Lake Chelan Bach Festival.
Concert Work includes Carmina Burana with the Ft. Collins Symphony as well as the Seattle Choral Company, Mozart’s Impresario with Spokane Symphony, Haydn’s The Creation and Bach’s Cantata Jauchzett Gott in allen Landen with the Lake Chelan Bach Festival, Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah both in Colorado Springs and frequently she returns to Eastern Washington to sing such works as Honneger’s King David, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Brahms Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah with the Tri-Cities Oratorio Orchestra. In addition, she is a frequent recitalist having recently presented a lecture recital titled “Historical Women through the Opera Glass”, and throughout the Northwest a recital titled “When I Have Sung My Songs” with the renowned maestro Dean Williamson at the piano.
A highlight for Ms. Ragan was performing for three months to rave reviews in the award winning show “A Cabaret Tour Of Broadway” in Chicago where Candide, King and I,and Phantom of the Opera were among the shows she was a featured soloist.
Having received her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Washington in June, 2005 where she received the prestigious Williams and Beech Scholarship, she additionally holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees with honors in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. Among other awards and honors she has been recognized as the Regional Finalist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council and the Regional Finalist for the MacCallister Competition.
Additionally, Ms. Ragan has taught at the University of Puget Sound, Blackpool Performing Arts Center in England, and maintains a successful voice studio in Issaquah, Washington. She is an active member of NATS (National Association of Teachers Singing), NYSAP (New York Singing Teachers’ Association) and a member of Northwest Artists.