Originally from Queens, NY and now residing in Boston, lyric-coloratura soprano Isabel Merat is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Voice and Opera at New England Conservatory under the tutelage of Jane Eaglen. She graduated from Oberlin Conservatory where she received a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance while studying with Mathilda Edge. 

 

During ​Isabel's first year at NEC, she performed opera scenes with NEC's Graduate Opera Department, portraying the roles of Adina in Donizetti's L'Elisir D'Amore and Bystrouška in Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen. She also performed the role of Rose in John Musto's Opera Later The Same Evening with NEC Opera. Isabel is a member of NEC's Song Lab, which focuses on the performance and study of Art Song repertoire. In Song Lab, she has had opportunities to perform in Masterclasses with Graham Johnson and Dawn Upshaw, and be featured in NEC’s Liederabend concert “The End of an Era - Late Romantic Lieder.”

 

This season, Isabel and pianist Anna Sunmin Park were finalists in the Federation of the Art Song fellowship awards held at the Manhattan School of Music. Isabel also performed in NEC’s Liederabend concert “Paris Visions” curated and coached by J.J Penna, and performed the role of Tina in Jonathan Dove’s Flight with NEC Opera. Upcoming performances include a concert with Anna Sunmin Park for the Federation of the Art Song at the Zimmerli Art Museum, a feature in NEC’s Liederabend concert of Spanish Songs, and performing the role of Chaim in the orchestrated premiere of We Will Outlive Them by Quinn Gutman with the Horizon Ensemble in Boston. 

 

In addition to performing, Isabel is passionate about behind-the scenes-work, arts administration, and music teaching. Isabel serves as Administrative Intern of Bloch Performing Arts, sings as a Choral Fellow at Old South Church in Boston, and is a Teaching Assistant in NEC's Voice for Non-Majors program.