Soprano Marissa Bloom, a burgeoning young singer, is known for her extraordinary dramatic presence and rich vocal quality.  In 2008, Ms. Bloom received a B.M. of Vocal Arts, summa cum laude, from the University of Southern California where she studied under Professor Peter Lightfoot. Starting in the fall of 2008, Marissa Bloom will be the Assistant Opera Director at West Virginia University where she will be obtaining her Masters degree. While studying at USC, Ms. Bloom performed the role of Susanna in the USC Opera Scenes Program and made her full-length operatic debut in the role of The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with the USC Chamber Opera. Her extensive scene study with the USC Chamber Opera includes scenes from Il Matrimonio Segreto, L’Elisir D’Amore, Pirates of Penzance, Dido and Aeneas, and Hoiby’s Summer and Smoke. This past summer, Ms. Bloom returned to the Songfest Apprentice program in Malibu for her second year of studying with famed tenor Paul Sperry and accompanists Graham Johnson and Martin Katz. In her two summers at Songfest, Marissa Bloom performed the roles of 2nd Spirit in The Magic Flute, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro in their scenes program. Her numerous recital performances have earned her great acclaim for her strong dramatic interpretations and fondness for lesser-known vocal works and she has won several awards and competitions including the Pacific Repertory Opera Company’s Vocal Competition of San Luis Obispo, California and the Intimate Opera Company Vocal Competition of Pasadena, California. A proponent of music education, Ms. Bloom was conductor of the 32nd St. School JazzReach choir through USC’s music outreach program for two years and was also the director of the Pacific Repertory Opera Company’s Opera Camp in the summer of 2008. Currently, Marissa Bloom runs a vocal studio where she uses a full-body approach to singing by incorporating yoga postures and breathing techniques into her training.

          A native of Atascadero, California, the accomplished Ms. Bloom was an active participant in the Atascadero High School Choral Department as a member of the Advanced Women’s Choir and Show Choir where she received several awards including the Distinguished Service Award, Most Outstanding Choral Musician, and the Michael Hurst Memorial Award. She was also the Choir Council President and the Choral Director’s Assistant. During high school, she took vocal instruction from Janice Vercoutere of Atascadero. A multi-talented artist, Ms. Bloom is also an avid swing dancer, tap dancer, costume designer, and a skilled floral designer, having won numerous awards.