About GABRIELLE RAZAFINJATOVO
Mezzo-soprano Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, originally from North Dakota, graduated from Minot State University in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a minor in French, as well as earning a concentration in the Honors Program. While at MSU, she studied voice with Dr. DeVera Bowles, and piano with Dr. Dianna Anderson and took courses in piano pedagogy and vocal pedagogy.
Gabrielle has five times been an alto soloist in Minot's annual Messiah and has also been seen in Western Plains Opera productions, most recently as The Mother in Engelbert Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel under the direction of Maestro Efrain Amaya and stage director Julie Wright Costa, and as Rosina in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia under the direction of Maestro Efrain Amaya and stage director Cindy Oxberry. Other roles have included Anna Leonowens in The King and I, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto, Third Lady in The Magic Flute, Mercedes in Carmen, and chorus member in La Nozze di Figaro.
She sang with the Minot Symphony Orchestra in March 2016 as winner of the MSO Senior Honors Competition, and in December 2017 as a soloist in Vivaldi's Gloria. As a competitor, she earned 5th place in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild competition for Colorado Singers in 2021, as well as the Encouragement Award and Audience Choice Award at the North Dakota-Manitoba District MET Auditions in 2016 and placed first in her division consecutive years in the state-wide National Association of Teachers of Singing competition.
Gabrielle is interested and knowledgeable in musical styles beyond classical. She grew up performing with her family in folk, Southern gospel, and contemporary styles and has played keys and vocals on church worship bands. She is experienced as a theory tutor and teaching chords and harmony.
In addition to being a seasoned performer, Gabrielle also has an extensive background in education. She has taught private voice and piano lessons for five years and is experienced in remote lesson instruction as well as in-person instruction. She has worked with all ages, and has also worked at Children's Music Academy, teaching music in a group lesson setting. In elementary school she wanted to quit piano lessons, so as a teacher she understands the ups and downs students experience, and focuses on making lessons fun and helping students work through tough seasons.
Gabrielle is currently working towards a M.M. in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder. When she's not making music and studying, she loves to go on hikes with her husband, read novels, bake, and dream about owning a dog someday.
