Kayleigh Sprouse is a versatile soprano, with performances from Purcell, Bach, and Handel's historical works to more recent ones from Zemlinsky, Britten, and Saariaho.
Sprouse finds artistic liberty and expression through theatrical and solo performances. Sprouse’s first operatic performances were with Opera CNU in Newport News, VA. She premiered the opera The Trial of God by Andrew Scott Bell as Avrémel and debuted her first main operatic role as Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute at the Peebles Theater. With the same company in the Diamondstein Concert Hall, she performed Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land as Beth Moss. Sprouse made her mainstage opera debut with the Virginia Opera Chorus at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, VA. Her most recent operatic performance occurred with the Peabody Opera Theater, in which she performed scenes from Handel’s Orlando as Angelica. In June 2023, she performed recitals and chamber ensemble works by Barber, Lachner, Beach, Chaminade, and more in the Teatro Mancinelli in Orvieto, Italy during the Orvieto Musica: Art of Song festival. Her most recent recital performance was with The Cecilia Collective–a treble vocal ensemble that aims to promote gender-marginalized composers–during a recital promoting the lost lieder of Josephine Lang.
Sprouse’s career focuses solely on ensemble works and collaboration, exploring how multiple solo voices can create one artistic idea. Sprouse began her academic ensemble studies with Christopher Newport University’s Chamber Choir and University Chorale. Under the direction of Dr. John Irving, she performed works such as Bach’s Aus der Tiefen, Schütz’s Nacket bin ich Mutterliebe kommen, and Jonathan Dove’s The Passing of the Year. She also spent time performing in Colonial Williamsburg with the Bruton Parish Church Choir under the direction of Rebecca Davy. Purcell’s O sing unto the Lord, Bach’s Magnificat in D and Christ lag in Todesbanden, and Charpentier’s Magnificat in G were some of the many works performed. Sprouse took her appreciation for early music and spent a week studying and performing Henry Purcell’s anthems, odes, and operas at Duke University under Dr. Philip Cave with the Chorworks festival. Sprouse currently performs with Peabody’s NEXT Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Beth Willer. She has performed a variety of works with the ensemble, including Saariaho’s Nuits, adieux, Ives’ Psalm 90, Lang’s For Love is Strong, Ligeti’s Lux aeterna, and Daniel-Lesur’s Cantique de cantique. Sprouse will also be performing as a core member of the Emmanuel Church Choir this upcoming season, a group in which she has already performed Nico Muhly’s anthems and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb.
Sprouse enjoys branching her musical aspirations through leadership and research endeavors. During her time in Sigma Alpha Iota, the prestigious music honor’s society, she served on the executive board for three years and aided her chapter in pursuing philanthropy and fundraising projects. Her work earned her the Sword of Honor, which is awarded to members who have “…fulfilled all duties in each office she has held in an outstanding manner.” Most recently, Sprouse received Peabody’s Launch Grant to support her research on “The Menstrual Cycle and how it Affects Vocal Production.” This literary research was presented at Christopher Newport University’s PAIDEIA research conference. Sprouse combines her leadership and research endeavors into her teaching. She is currently a piano and voice instructor at the International School of Music, where she focuses musicianship and pedagogy as a core in each student so that they may have the tools to create an artistic and creative performance.
Kayleigh Sprouse is currently studying voice with Ah Young Hong at Peabody Conservatory and pursuing a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy. She is currently the Vocal Ensemble Intern and performs with the NEXT Ensemble under Dr. Beth Willer. In the upcoming 2024-2025 season she will sing with the Emmanuel Church Choir in Baltimore, MD.
