Maria Ferrer
Six years ago, when questioned by The Miami Herald of her love for opera, Maria Ferrer was quoted as enthusiastically responding, "I love it! I love it! I love it!" Few young singers can claim the artistic maturity of twenty-three year old soprano, Maria Ferrer. Maria began her studies at the age of eight as a member of the audition only Miami Choral Society, now the Miami Childrens Chorus, with whom she performed in choir of the US National Tour for Joseph and the Amazing technicolor dreamcoat. At twelve she was sent by her conductor and family to study at the first of what beccame many summers at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. In 1999 Ms. Ferrer was accepted as a freshman voice major to the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida. While at the New World School maria studied intensively with some of the finest instructors in the United States, such as world renowned mezzo soprano Joy Davidson and Florida Grand Opera's Michele Hemmings. Ms. Ferrer represented the New World School by performing Mozart's Requiem, conducted by Sir John Rutter in Carnegie Hall when she was sixteen. At the age of seventeen Maria performed Zarzuela as a principal for the Hispanic American Lyric Opera opposite Florida Grand Opera tenor Ismael Gonzalez. The young Cuban American soprano delivered the Zarzuela with sophistication and ease. The following year Maria successfully graduated from the New World School as President of the Music Honor Society. After her graduation Maria was invited by the Rome Institute to perform the role of Frasquita in Bizet's Carmen in Italy. She performed the role under the dramatic guidance of professors from Il Conservatorio di Roma. In 2003 Maria was granted a scholarship to the Boston Conservatory in Massachusetts. At the Boston Conservatory Maria was featured as a soloist in several voice recitals and master classes. When on leave from school between semesters, Maria performed for her former New World school and was commissioned to sing by the Florida Grand Opera. At the age of nineteen, Maria Ferrer was accepted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. Maria trained classically at the Royal Academy of Music until the age of 22, at which point she moved back to Miami in order to obtain a degree in not only music, but theater as well from the University of Miami. In Miami Maria has had the opportunity to study numerous roles and perform for political figures political campaign's including that for Congresswoman and former Secretary of the State of Florida, Katherine Harris. Roles for 2007 have thus far included Praskovia in the University of Miami's production of "The Merry Widow" by Franz Lehar, and 'Cecilia' in Gonzalo Roig's vibrant Zarzuela, "Cecilia Valdes" with the Hispanic American Lyric Opera. Ms. Ferrer is grateful and honored to perform for the Marbella Film Festival this October.