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Idelle Nissila-Stone
Although Idelle has enjoyed a long career as a professional singer, her musical studies began on the French horn at age 8.
About Me
Although Idelle has enjoyed a long career as a professional singer,
her musical studies began on the French horn at age 8. She insists
that the physical and musical demands of the horn helped hone her
skills as a vocalist long before she ever thought of becoming a
singer. Classical piano lessons also gave her a solid foundation in
music reading and fundamentals. During her college years, she double-
majored in brass and voice. Her first professional jobs as a musician
were as a section horn player in the Duluth-Superior Symphony
Orchestra. Then she was faced with a choice: “Do I stay in the
orchestra pit, or venture into the unknown…onto the stage?” Her voice
won and she set her beloved horn aside. While earning her Master’s
Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Minnesota, she sang
numerous oratorios, performed the title role in the opera Mignon, and
was involved with new music at the Minnesota Composer's Forum,
including performing the role of Tante Marie in Libby Larsen's opera
The Silver Fox. After graduating she performed in the Edwardian Panto
Cinderella for the Minneapolis Children’s Theater and attended the
American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Since moving to New York Idelle has performed opera, musical theater
and oratorio. She sang many major roles for the Brooklyn Lyric Opera
Company including; Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni, Mozart), Micaela
(Carmen, Bizet), Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte, Mozart) and Amelia
(Amelia Goes To The Ball, Menotti). She performed the title role in
Suor Angelica (Puccini) at the premier of the Rutgers/Camden Musical
Theater Program under the direction of her vocal coach and good
friend, the late Martin Dillon. She has worked as a soloist, ringer
and choral section leader for Lehman College, Marble Collegiate
Church, Christ and Saint Stephens Episcopal Church, Russell Sage
Memorial Presbyterian Church, West End Temple, Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church, Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church and many others.
As well as her extensive performing experience, Idelle has benefited
greatly from the guidance of many brilliant teachers and coaches
including; Roy Schuessler and Judith Ferris (voice), Catherine
Cathcart and James Besser (vocal coaching), H. Wesley Balk, Richard
Getke, Nico Castel and Marc Malamed (musical theater and acting). She
is committed to passing along their valuable lessons along with her
own discoveries made in response to musical and vocal challenges.
Idelle seeks what is most authentic about each individual’s voice, and
helps her students develop their physical instrument and musicality,
to reveal their most compelling performance.