Rachel Elizabeth Watkins

Style: Opera; Classical

Title: Executive Director, International School of the Voice, Professor, HCU

Bio:

xecutive Director and Founder of the International School of the Voice, Soprano, former President of the Executive Board of Directors of Joy In Singing, the Art Song Institute, The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, where she received an award in 2021 for her excellence in teaching, is currently a voice faculty member of Houston Christian University, and Co-Founder of the Mozart Opera Studio in Vienna, together with the European Music Institute and the illustrious Mexican Tenor, Francisco Araiza. Elizabeth De Trejo is trailblazing a new path in the sphere of classical voice, and through the International School of the Voice, is revolutionizing the way the art form is taught. Elizabeth is a consummate soprano and recitalist, having sung extensively in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Elizabeth’s students are frequent first place winners and finalists in competitions such as the Monserrat Caballé, the Fausto Ricci, Maria Caniglia, Neue Stimmen, Belvedere, the Metropolitan Opera Laffont, and several more. A student of hers and currently, Mauricio Trejo, one of the ISV Principal Artists in the International School of the Voice, Monica Conesa will made a historic debut at the esteemed, historic Arena di Verona as Aida and Gioconda, (one of the youngest artists to debut there, since Maria Callas, who debuted as Gioconda, also). Elizabeth’s technical work is increasing in demand, and she regularly gives masterclasses worldwide, and is also most recently, working regularly with the Florida Grand Opera young artists.

Ms. De Trejo has worked with leading conductors and has appeared as a guest soloist with many orchestras in halls such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, with distinguished ensembles like the Marinsky Orchestra, the Orchestra Verdi, the Orchestra Now, the Oratorio Society of NY, the National Chorale, and more; some of these works include the Verdi Requiem, Carmina Burana, the U.S. premiere of Raff’s Te Deum, the De Profundis of Lili Boulanger, Mahler’s Symphonies, No. 4 and 8, Beethoven 9th Symphony and Mass in C, Bach, Brahms, Fauré and Mozart Requiems, and numerous Rutter works conducted by the composer himself. Ms. De Trejo made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Berg’s Lulu; and her career has given her the opportunity to perform the roles of Norma, Violetta, Lucia di Lammermoor, Donna Anna, Gilda, Marguerite, Fiordiligi, Die Königin die Nacht, Adina, Poppea, Juliette, Musetta, Giulietta, and Cleopatra, and the role of Rosina in Anton Coppola’s epic opera, Sacco and Vanzetti; for which an aria was composed for her. Elizabeth attended Loyola University where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance, and Yale University, earning her Master of Music. Post graduation, Ms. De Trejo joined the International Opera Studio of the Opernhaus Zürich. Elizabeth can be seen on the EMI Classics DVD of Der Rosenkavalier under the direction of Franz Welser-Möst.

Voice Type: Soprano

Music Styles Taught: Opera; Classical

Availability: I am available as a performer; I am currently accepting private students; I am available as a clinician or presenter; I offer lessons in a group environment; I accept students through a college or university program

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