Tara Laberge, DMA
Biography
Soprano Dr. Tara Marlena Laberge has a multi-disciplinary career that spans Opera, Oratorio, Music Theatre, Theatre and Collaborative Creation.
She earned both her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota, writing her doctoral dissertation on the History, Pedagogy and Practice of Musical Theatre. Teaching credits include positions with Ambrose University, Rocky Mountain College, Mount Royal University, The Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts, Augsburg College, and Storybook Theatre. Dr. Laberge has also recently added an education degree to her academic credits through the University of Calgary Werklund School of Education.
As a Soprano soloist Dr. Laberge has performed with the Calgary Festival Chorus (Paulus, Cattuli Carmina), the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (The Prairie Alphabet, FAME), the Calgary Youth Orchestra (Operatic Opulence), and in countless recitals, specializing in music of the 20th century. Operatic roles include Antonia (Tales of Hoffman), Nella (Gianni Schicci), Polly (The Beggars Opera), and Delphinia (Babes in Toyland). Equally at home in theatre and musical theatre, Dr. Laberge’s leading roles include Joy Davidman (Shadowlands), Mother (A Christmas Story – The Musical), Inez (No Exit), Martha/Woman (Wanda’s Visit/’Dentity Crisis), Melissa (The Savannah Disputation), Anna (The King and I), Elsa/Maria u/s (The Sound of Music), and Julie (Carousel). She has also co-created several interdisciplinary performance projects as a founding member of Opera BOB and Theatre Lyra, and as a roster singer with Cowtown Opera. Dr. Laberge has extensive experience as a music director and stage director, and is in demand as an adjudicator and vocal health clinician. She continues to maintain a thriving private voice studio in Calgary, Alberta.