Instruments: Voice
Style: Classical, Latin American
Education:
Bachelor of Music - Ball State University School of Music
Currently pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance - Cleveland Institute of Music
Kellie Rumba (lyric soprano) was born in West Lafayette, IN. During her childhood, she performed in various choirs and community organizations of the Greater Lafayette area. She began her formal music training at Ball State University's School of Music where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in the winter of 2008.
While enrolled at Ball State, under the instruction of the Japanese soprano Yoko Shimazaki-Kilburn, Ms. Rumba participated in various operas and performances. She performed with the Ball State Opera as Sesto in Handel's Julius Caesar in Egypt, and she also performed the role of Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni. At Ball State, Ms. Rumba was also involved in performing choral music, and participated in the choir of Verdi's Requiem, along with Mendelssohn's Elijah. She performed as the soprano soloist in Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass and Rutter's Requiem.
Ms. Rumba is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music, under the instruction of Dr. Mary Schiller. During her first year of studies, she performed several opera roles, including Echo in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos, Poppea in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, and Angela in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience.
Ms. Rumba competes in vocal competitions and gives recitals around the country. She has placed in annual NATS competitions, received first place in the Regional Hoosier Audition Voice competition in 2008, and was a semi-finalist for the Tennessee Orpheus competition in 2009. She is also the gracious recipient of numerous scholarships for her collegiate studies. She has had the opportunity to sing in numerous Master Classes taught by artists such as John Wustmann, George Shirley, Angela Brown, Nova Thomas, Maria Lagios, Fiora Contino, and Alicia Nafé.
Ms. Rumba also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Ball State University. She lived in Valdivia, Chile for four months, and traveled much of South America and Spain, studying Spanish and Latin American music as well as the Spanish language. Her interest in both music and Spanish led her to a specialized program in Madrid, Spain, where under the instruction of Alicia Nafé, Alexis Muñoz, and Juan Antonio Parejo, she concentrated her studies on the interpretation of Spanish and Latin American song.