Biography
About Stephanie
German soprano Stephanie Lorenz is a born performer. She first found her way to the stage at age four singing with the world-renowned Berliner Kinderchor in her native Germany. In 1991, her family moved to Florida and a six-year old Stephanie began dancing ballet. Over the next ten years, she performed every supporting children’s role with the Miami City Ballet in their performances of “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky (directed by Edward Villella). She also sang as a charter member of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Jim Cochran, until graduating from high school. In addition to singing and dancing, Stephanie is a natural musician, taking to both the piano and clarinet as a child.
At age 14, Stephanie added acting and modeling to her resume. While participating in the International Modeling and Talent Association Competition in New York City, she won first place for Soaps & Sitcoms, first runner up for Monologues and the Best Overall Talent Award for her age division. During this time, Stephanie also performed in productions such as “Guys & Dolls” and “My Fair Lady” with The Naples Players.
In 2001, Stephanie stepped away from dance to pursue her passion for singing opera. At age 15, she was chosen by Dr. Erich Kunzel, conductor of the Cincinnati Pops, to sing alongside the mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, as Liesel in “The Sound of Music.” The concert was broadcast internationally by PBS.
At just 16, Stephanie took to the stage of the Berliner Philharmonie as guest soloist, singing in the iconic Berliner Kinderchor Christmas Concert. The following year, the Berliner Kinderchor welcomed her back and Stephanie made her debut on the stage of the historic Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt.
In 2002, Stephanie, now 17, completed a summer internship at the Universität der Künste in Berlin, serving as an Assistant to Opera Director Professor Dagny Mueller for the Berlin premiere of the opera ‘OSUD’ by Leoš Janáček. She also sang in small ensembles and in the chorus of the opera, solidifying her love for the operatic stage.
Stephanie went on to accept a talent scholarship from Stetson University’s School of Music. She traveled and performed with the Stetson Singers ensemble and was featured on the cover and in a two-page spread in the University’s School of Music’s recruitment package. She also recorded a CD with Stetson voice faculty members, Dr. Stephen Ng and Professor Jane Christeson, “The Diary of One Who Vanished” (music by Leoš Janáček). In 2006, she performed the role of Anne in “The Merry Wives of Windsor” by Otto Nicolai.
In the summers of 2005 and 2006, Stephanie studied with Professor Enza Ferrari and Dr. Daune Mahy from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music Summer Program in Urbania, Italy. It was here, Stephanie added Italian to her language fluency that includes her native German and English and conversational French and Spanish.
Stephanie finished her studies under the guidance of Dr. Craig Maddox and received a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance. After graduation, she discovered her love of vocal pedagogy and taught voice and music lessons privately until her return to the stage in Berlin in 2019, participating in the Berlin Opera Academy’s Emerging Opera Artist Program. She also performed as Sarah Good in Berlin Opera Academy’s Opera Fest performances of “The Crucible” by Robert Ward. She attended the Berlin Summer University Arts Intensive Opera Training Masterclass with Janice and Jonathon Alder and Cheryl Studer. Since then, Stephanie has studied with the Italian soprano, voice teacher and coach, Capucine Chiaudani, as well as, with the American Stage Director, Chuck Hudson.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Stephanie has leveraged technology to participate in online master classes, giving and taking lessons online, and expanding her repertoire.
Stephanie also enjoys her position as German Elocution Trainer at the Halo-School of German in Berlin while pursuing her passion for music and the arts in the form of opera, musicals, stage acting, improvisation, photography and writing.