An exceptional talent, Aimee Petra boasts a 4-octave range of dynamic color and presence. Rooted in musical theatre and later classically trained, Aimee has performed and recorded music of varying styles. After many years singing opera, classical and musical theatre throughout the United States, she decided to switch gears in 2008 and explore the world of jazz. Her debut jazz album, Too Much Fun, was released late summer 2008 to national & international acclaim. Since then Aimee has been working with a variety of talented musicians & venues around Minnesota. She is currently collaborating with songwriters Dave Ostrovsky & Al Basile and has recorded 3 new songs. 2010 is an exciting year for Aimee as she continues to spotlight songs by hot new songwriters & has begun writing her own music.
Classically, she has sung operatic roles with Bay View Music Festival (Michigan), Opera in the Ozarks (Arkansas), Dorian Opera (Iowa), Opera Kansas, Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company (Minnesota) and others. Aimee is the 2003 winner of the Marcella Kochanska Sembrich National Vocal Competition and worked with Joan Dornemann at Portland Opera’s IVAI program in 2000. Highlights of her musical theatre career include principal roles of Widow Douglas/Lead Soprano soloist in Big River with Lake City Theatre Company, Mary Wilson in Sgt. Pepper’s: The Drunkard and “Ingenue” in On Broadway for Lake Pepin Players. She has also performed leading roles with Phipps Center for the Arts and Minnesota Fringe Festival.
Her passion for concert work led to an active recital career performing programs such as An Evening of Italian Song and Classically Minnesota, and soloing with orchestra/choral groups singing Bach’s Magnificat and Orff’s Carmina Burana. In addition, she has frequently sung the National Anthem at the opening ceremonies of national conventions around the country. Aimee has enjoyed performing and recording the music of several living composers including Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus and David Evan Thomas. She has also sung sacred music throughout her career and is a soloist throughout the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis for weddings, funerals, holidays and Sunday worship.
