“Art is most successful when it promotes diverse experiences, understanding, healing and equality within our communities. We should always challenge the kinds of stories we tell and why we tell them.”
— Maria S. Maxfield, Shoutout LA
Maxfield is a soprano, voice teacher, lecturer and academic based in New York City.
As a soprano, she has performed as a soloist across the United States and has worked with top companies, conductors and directors. She currently sings with the Metropolitan Opera in the chorus as a supplemental member, a position she’s held every season since 2018.
She premiered a leading role in New York City with American Opera Project's, Letters You Will Not Get, a new opera featuring the letters of women from around the world who were impacted by World War I. Other operatic highlights include Monica in The Medium with Opera Memphis, Zerlina in Opera Colorado’s production of Don Giovanni, Frasquita in Carmen with Opera Omaha, and Julie in Carousel with Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis. She was a participant of the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Artist program, a member of Opera Omaha’s Voices in Residence program, the Gerdine Young Artist program at Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the renowned art song festival at the Ravinia Music Festival.
Maxfield currently maintains a highly sought after private voice studio in NYC and online. Current and past students have worked professionally in opera, broadway, and have been accepted to prestigious national and international arts High School, College and Conservatory Voice Programs and have been winners at National Competitions.
Maxfield received her DMA in Vocal Arts, Vocology, Opera Directing and Music Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern California-Thornton School of Music. Her Vocology studies were under the direction of the renowned voice scientist and author, Professor Lynn Helding, with rigorous courses and practicums that centered on the application of science informed vocal pedagogy in the voice studio. Her degree culminated in a final research paper and presentation on Trauma-Informed Vocal Pedagogy.
Maxfield has also worked as a stage director and assistant stage director and received her training under renowned stage director, Ken Cazan. Maxfield finds that stage directing bridges a unique pathway between her work as a performer and her interest in vocal pedagogy. Maxfield is a Consent Forward Artist with the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators Organization and holds lectures and workshops on consent forward practices and empowerment within the vocal arts. Please see her Journal of Singing article from the November/December 2023 issue, Physical Touch in the Voice Studio.
“My motivation in this career has come from a desire to connect with others and aid in greater empathy and self reflection through story and art making. Making space for myself in this career and finding avenues that feel fulfilling and meaningful has been a year by year process of self discovery and introspection.”
— Maria S. Maxfield, Canvas Rebel
Resumé
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Maria is a member in good standing with both AGMA and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
