I am a classically-trained singer with 20+ years of experience singing recitals, concerts, opera, and musical theater. I sing regularly in the standard four languages - Italian, German, French, and English. I have also performed Spanish, Russian, and Hebrew choral repertoire. I actively research and promote classical music written by composers of color. My debut CD, "Lifescapes: One Woman's Journey" features works written by Black-American composers.
I am a highly respected voice teacher. In addition to my home studio,I teach at the Music Institute of Chicago and the Evanston Township High School.
I have been living and performing in the Chicagoland area since 1996.
Exactly what we were looking for from a professional, experienced Classical Artist.
She is an absolutely phenomenal singer she nailed both of the songs with Grace and dignity .
Rich
Response from Rae-Myra, Soprano:
It was a job to be apart of this special event. The host was so gracious and receptive to my needs. This was a first for me in using sound equipment and recorded accompaniment. I learned a lot and am grateful that my inexperience on that level did not show through in the overall performance. Wishing them all the best as they celebrate their lives together!
Thank YOU!!!!
Price Range: $200 and up
Gig Length: 15 - 90 minutes
Languages: English, French, German, Italian
Unions: AGMA
An energetic and engaging performance that will cater the spirit of the event. I can be the center of attention or provide background ambience. I have been described as an individual with a big personality but not overbearing. I pride myself on being easy-going and accommodating to collaborate with yet I always a maintain a high expectancy of professionalism.
Rae-Myra, lyric soprano, is an active recitalist and concert artist who diligently researches and promotes works written by composers of color. She released her debut CD "Lifescapes: One Woman’s Journey", on which all of the works were composed by Black-American composers, in October 2015. In addition to her CD project, Rae-Myra is marketing her “Tribute to Black-American Composers” recital first performed at The Chicago Temple on Feb.1. 2015.
As a concert artist, Rae-Myra has performed as soprano soloist in Ralph Vaughn Williams’ Serenade to Music, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, Bach’s Magnificat in D, Handel’s Messiah and Judas Maccabaeus, Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Regina Coeli and Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Dubois’ The Seven Last Words of Christ and David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus. Her operatic credits include the roles of Singing Spirit in Rènee Baker’s Sunyata: Towards Absolute Emptiness, The Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Serena in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Miss Pinkerton in Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief, and performed in the world premiere of Wendell Logan and Paul Carter Harrison’s Doxology with the New Black Music Repertory Ensemble under the direction of the late Maestro Coleridge Taylor-Perkinson.
Rae-Myra maintains 3 teaching studios of private voice: Evanston Township High School, Music Institute of Chicago and her home studio. In addition to teaching, Ms. Hilliard is the music director/pianist/organist for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deerfield, IL.
As a classical singer, I am trained to use the instrument's natural resonance and therefore do not need to be amplified in a performing space is designed he classical acoustic in mind. However, in typical banquet halls, large stadiums, and outdoor events amplification is needed.
There must be clear sight lines for all musicians involved.
As a classical singer, I typically perform with a pianist. If one has not been hired for the event, I can provide recommendations or I can hire one and adjust my fee accordingly.
| August 21, 2021 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Fundraiser |
| August 17, 2019 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 11, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Fourth Presbyterian Church |
| December 06, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Morgan Park Presbyterian Church |
| October 24, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church |
| October 16, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Gary, IN |
ARIAS:
Bizet, Georges Carmen Micaëla“Je dis que rien…”
Boulogne, Joseph (Chevalier de Saint Georges) Ernestine “Ernestine…O Clemangis”
Charpentier, Gustave Louise “Depuis le jour”
Gershwin, George Porgy & Bess “My Man’s Gone Now”
Handel, G.F. Giulio Cesare “Non disperar”,“Piangerò la sorte mia”
Massenet, Jules Hérodiade “Il est doux, il est bon”
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus Don Giovanni “Non mi dir”, "Or sai chi l'honore”
Mozart, WA Le Nozze di Figaro “Porgi, amor”,“Dove Sono”
Previn, Andre A Streetcar Named Desire “I Want Magic!”
Still, William Grant Mota “This Strange Awakening”
Still, WG Troubled Island “’Tis Sunset in the Garden”
ART SONGS:
-Brahms, Johannes “Immer leiser wird” Op.105 No.2,“Meine Liebe ist grün” Op. 63 No.5,“Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen” Op. 32 No. 8,“Schön war, das ich dir weihte” Op. 95 No. 7
-Brown, Charles (Claude McKay) “The Barrier”
-Debussy, Claude-Achille “Beau Soir”, “C’est l’Extase” from Ariettes Oubliées, “Nuit d’Etoiles”
-Duparc, Henri “Élégie”, “Soupir
-Fauré, Gabriel “Clair de lune” Op. 46 No. 2, “En Sourdine” Op. 58 No.2,
“Fleur jetée” Op. 39 No.2
-Gordon, Ricky Ian (Langston Hughes) "Afternoon on a Hill", “Daybreak in Alabama”, “Dream Variations”, “Song for a Dark Girl”, "Souvenir", “Stars”, Will there really be a morning"
-Hailstork, Adolphus “I Loved You”
-Hairston, Jacqueline (arr.) “Dormi, Jesu”
-Lloyd Jr., Charles “Compensation”
-Mahler, Gustav “Erinnerung”, “Hans und Grethe”, “Ich bin der Welt…”, “Ich ging mit Lust…”, “Liebst du um Schönheit”
-Obradors, Fernando J. “Con amores, la mi madre”, “Del Cabello mas sutil”,
“Chiquitita la novia”
-Perkinson, Coleridge-Taylor “A Child’s Grace”
-Price, Florence B. “Night”, “Song to the Dark Virgin”
-Schubert, Franz “Der Lindenbaum”, “Ihr Bild”, “Im Abendrot”
-Strauss, Richard “Ach Lieb, ich muss nun scheiden” Op. 21 No.3, “Kling!” Op. 48 No. 3, “Morgen!” Op. 27 No. 4, “Seitdem dein Aug’” Op. 17 No. 1
“Traum durch die Dämmerung” Op. 29 No. 1, “Wie sollten wir geheim” Op. 19 No. 4, “Zueignung” Op. 10 No. 1
CONCERT/MOTET/ORATORIO:
-Bach, Johann Sebastian Magnificat, St. Matthew's Passion
-Beethoven, Ludwig van “Ah! perfido” Op. 65, Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125
-Brahms, Johannes Eines Deutsche Requiem
-Britten, Benjamin War Requiem
-Fauré, Gabriel Requiem Op. 48
-Handel, George Frideric Judas Maccabaeus, Messiah
-Haydn, Joseph Mass in D no. 3 (Lord Nelson Mass)
-Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus “A questo seno…” K. 374, “Chi sa, chi sa…” K.582, “Voi avete un cor…” K. 217, Exsultate, Jubilate K. 165, Regina Coeli K. 276, Requiem K. 626
-Orff, Carl Carmina Burana
-Poulenc, Francis Gloria
-Rossini, Gioacchino Stabat Mater
-Saint-Saëns, Camille Christmas Oratorio
-Verdi, Giuseppe Requiem
-Vaughan Williams, Ralph Serenade to Music
-Vivaldi, Antonio Gloria, O Qui Coeli Terraeque
CYCLES:
-Adams, H Leslie Nightsongs
-Baiocchi, Regina Harris e.e. cummings songbook, The Hurston Songs
-Brahms, Johannes Sechs Lieder, Op. 85
-Burleigh, H.T. Five Songs of Laurence Hope, Saracen Songs
-Capers, Valerie Song of the Seasons
-Carter, John Cantata
-Dello Joio, Norman Three Songs of Adieu
-Gordon, Ricky Ian Genius Child
-Mahler, Gustav Kinder-Totenlieder
-Morris, Robert L. Lyric Suite
-Owens, Robert Images
-Poulenc, Francis Airs chantés
-Price, Florence B. Four Encore Songs
-Schumann, Robert Frauenliebe und-leben
-Smith, Hale Beyond the Rim of Day, The Valley Wind
-Still, William Grant From the Hearts of Women, Songs of Separation
-Strauss, Richard Vier Letzte Lieder
-Uyeda, Leslie Three Canadian Folk Songs
My uncle, mentor and father-figure, Donald Lamar Hilliard I, was a highly-respected music educator in the Western New York area and was well-known throughout the East Coast. He introduced me and all of my cousins to the world of classical music and started many of us on piano. He was one of the most gifted conductors I ever had the pleasure of working with. I often compared his hands to those of the great late Maestro Pierre Boulez.
I have to give homage to the internationally-renowned baritone Thomas Hampson. When I first saw him in recital at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY, he had just begun his Songs of America recital tours. I have to say he planted the seed in my spirit to research the classical works written by Black-American composers that is still to this day not given the recognition and respect deserved.
Acoustic piano or 82 key electric piano
If a large hall or outdoor event, a mic set-up for all musicians.
Chicago, IL 
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