Biography
Praised for her ethereal coloratura and clear, powerful, expressive voice, Lyric Coloratura Soprano Alissa Roca enjoys performing in a variety of styles ranging from Baroque to Contemporary and everything in between. She graduated with a Master of Music from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. While in Miami she performed many roles and scenes including the world premiere of Akala in Charles Mason’s opera Entanglements and the title role in Michael Daugherty's Jackie O. Roca recently completed a Performer's Diploma at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she performed the title role in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah, The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and Adina in Donizetti’s L'Elisir d'Amore with Meadows Opera as well as a number of large works with their contemporary music ensemble SYZYGY. This season’s highlights include Corigliano’s Mr. Tambourine Man with Voices of Change, Berta in il Barbieri di Siviglia with Opera on the James, Christmas at the Meyerson with The Dallas Winds, and The Edge of Oblivion tour with her trio, the Sterling Trio.
Roca began her musical training at a very early age—singing in choirs for over fifteen years and taking lessons in piano and flute—but it wasn't until she began her work with Opera Naples in the summer of 2009 that she truly discovered her love of opera. Since then Roca has been very involved in both Opera Naples' main stage and summer performances, singing with the Chorus in their main season as well as portraying the roles of Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, The Plaintiff in Trial By Jury, and Rose Maybud in Ruddigore. She has traveled to Washington D.C. to perform with the Gilbert and Sullivan Youth Company in the Capital Fringe Festival as Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore and the title role in Patience. Roca made her professional debut in Opera Naples' production of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel as The Dew Drop Fairy in December 2011. She has also worked as a soloist with the Dallas Symphony, the Dallas Winds, the Miami Bach Society, Voices of Change, and the University of Texas New Music Ensemble, as well as produced and performed numerous solo recitals.
In addition to her endeavors in traditional styles, Roca is particularly known for her work in contemporary music, and frequently works with composers including Joseph Thalken, Jesper Koch, Michael Daugherty, and primarily with composer Jason Mulligan. She premiered his first vocal work in 2012 and the two have continued to collaborate on countless projects including a premiere as a part of the New American Voices series. She has premiered over sixteen pieces including a full length concert drama and set of songs of her own texts.