About
Jenn Raithel Newman
The Portland Press Herald
recently likened American soprano Jenn Raithel (RYE-dul) Newman to the legendary
Kate Smith when describing her voice as “warm, powerful, and with an
ability to hit spectacular high notes.” Praised for her delivery of
“powerful and emotional performances,” Ms. Newman was deemed the “audience favorite” by The Arizona Republic which also noted
the soprano to sing with “spin and beauty.” With an incredibly versatile voice, Newman is equally at home performing the classics as she is
delivering contemporary favorites, typically during the same concert.Newman recently recorded her first demo CD entitled, Someone to Watch. Recorded at Phase Four Studios with Ralph Patlan, and mastered at Capitol Studios in Hollywood with Evren Goknar, Newman collaborated with Larry Loeber (piano) and Steve Fitch (percussion) for this timeless journey of song showcasing Newman’s noteworthy versatility.
Jenn Raithel Newman was the featured soloist in her recent debuts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in their Holiday Pops Special conducted by Alastair Willis, and joined her longtime collaborator, conductor Robert Moody, for her debuts with the Winston-Salem Symphony in their New Year’s Eve Pops Special, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra in their Independence Pops Series. Newman has made numerous appearances with The Phoenix Symphony, where she has sung under the baton of such conductors as Lawrence Golan, Kayoko Dan, and the late Hermann Michael. Upcoming engagements for the 2009-10 Season include Broadway Pops concerts with returns to the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony, and the Greensboro Symphony.
With a diverse repertoire of roles to her credit ranging from “Pamina” in Die Zauberflöte to “Sister Amnesia” in Nunsense, some of Newman’s regional stage credits include: “Emily” in Help, Help! The Globolinks!, “Gretel” in Hansel and Gretel, “Genovieffa” in Suor Angelica, Godspell, and the title role in The Mystery of Edwin Drood to name a few. In addition to her Pops resume, Newman has also been the featured soprano soloist in such classical works as Bach’s Cantata #51 – Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate, Rutter’s Requiem, Faure’s Requiem and Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Haydn’s Creation.
Influenced greatly by gospel, blues and country roots while growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, Jenn Raithel Newman returned to her native Arizona where she received her classical voice training at Arizona State University. Newman currently studies in New York City under the auspices of internationally renowned soprano, Maria Spacagna and coaches extensively with vocal coach/arranger/music director, Andrew Byrne.
After spending the majority of the 2008/09 Season sorting through & packing up life in Arizona, Newman can now be found happily taking in the Manhattan skyline from her Park Slope, Brooklyn roof deck with her husband, bass-baritone James Newman, and their young daughter, Lyla Grace.