Celebrated soprano Ellaina Lewis honors composer Richard Thompson’s art song oeuvre in LIFE’S SWEET SHADOWS, a recording created in collaboration with masterful sound liberator Joe Williams. Lewis gives a profoundly emotional performance, her rich timbre pronouncing the story within each song and elevating the complexities of Thompson’s compositional style.
Today, Ellaina is our featured artist in the “Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to learn about her meditative pre-performance ritual, and her love for dancing to a live band…
What advice would you give to your younger self if given the chance?
I would advise that while I’m training to improve my vocal technique, I should always remember what I love about singing and work just as hard to discover what I love about my unique voice. I would also advise myself to create a food diary to start to connect some of my health issues with my diet. My younger self would be grateful on both counts!
What emotions do you hope listeners will experience after hearing your work?
There aren’t specific emotions that I hope listeners feel when hearing my work. I do however hope that they feel a sense of release that gives them permission to fully experience whatever emotions do come up. Often we deny our sadness, grief, joy, and other emotions for the sake of others’ comfort and to make our days more efficient. I hope there is a freedom to feel when listeners experience my work that they can take with them for a good while.
What were your first musical experiences?
My parents took me to see Mozart’s Magic Flute performed with puppets when I was 3 years old. Although I don’t remember the experience, my mother describes me twirling and leaping and singing my version of Papageno and Papagena’s duet for days to come. What I do remember are my family singing harmonies in the car, a tune to remember our street address, and the gospel music that my father would write at home that I thought was for me, but was really for the choir. At church my grandma’s and aunties’ voices were always soothing and inspiring.
How do you prepare for a performance?
On performance days I work to make sure I can focus with the goal of getting into “the zone” once the show begins. I’ve gathered everything I’ll need to take with me the night before, slept well, and planned out my day. The day has to include a workout, hydration, time to center myself and warm up my voice. Family and close friends are used to my quiet time before a performance and give me the space I need to do my best.
Where and when are you at your most creative?
I feel most creative while performing. The interaction with other singers, audiences, and instrumental collaborators is inspiring. At the moment I’m free to emote and fully express myself, relying on my hours of practice and confidence in my amazing colleagues.
What are your other passions besides music?
Some of my most joy filled memories are of me dancing to a live band. I’m “in the zone” with salsa, Argentine tango, afrobeats, and funk especially. Of course, dance is so connected to music that I may be cheating at this answer. I plan to never stop singing or dancing no matter my age.
Soprano Ellaina Lewis is an accomplished soloist and collaborator who demonstrates an extensive range of vocal and dramatic ability. Her journey began as part of a richly musical family in Washington DC and has led to her current home in Seattle WA, where she is frequently seen on opera, concert, and recital stages. She has performed with Seattle Opera since 2011, most recently in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, by Anthony Davis. Lewis has also worked among other companies including the Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus, Tacoma Opera, Seattle Choral Company, Puget Sound Opera, Everett Symphony, and as a guest of the Ladies Musical Club, among others.
