We are thrilled to announce that Joëlle Morris, an applied voice instructor at Bates College, has been appointed Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Music. Beginning in the Fall of 2019, she will teach courses such as Intro to Music, in addition to instructing practical musicianship labs. Joëlle will also conduct the Bates College Choir, a 25-voice ensemble which performs at least two large concerts per year.
Originally from Evian, France, Joëlle Morris is a singer, choral conductor, music educator and voice teacher living in central Maine. Recognized for her warm mezzo voice and her ability to sparkle on stage, she is admired for her versatility – from the concert stage to the operatic arena, in intimate jazz settings and French cabaret, or simply sharing her gifts as voice teacher and coach.
Joëlle has performed in an array of opera and musical theater shows, her favorite roles include Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte, Cherubino in La Nozze di Figaro, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and Aldonza in Man of la Mancha amongst others.
An active recitalist, Joëlle has sung across the United States, France and Switzerland, most notably in such prestigious halls as La Grange-au-Lac in Evian-les-Bains, at Le Château de Ripaille in Thonon, the festival La Belle Époque at Evian and at l’Espace Maurice Novarina featuring her original production of “Poèmes en Musique” a presentation of French composers and their inspiration of poetry.
Since relocating to Maine in 2011, Joëlle has appeared with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, the Mozart Mentor Orchestra and is regularly a featured artist at Colby College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, the Franco Center, Waterville Opera House, Nordica Auditorium, the Colby Jazz Faculty Ensemble, King’s Chapel in Boston and the Early Music Festival in Portland. Her appreciation of chamber music as led her to be the co-founding member of the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble and the Resinosa Ensemble which specializes in 21st century and commissioned works.
An appreciation of Edith Piaf’s repertoire has led to numerous concerts featuring the grande dame of French chanson, most notably at the 2014 World Acadian Congress in Madawaska, ME. Since 2016, she has joined the Colby Faculty Jazz Ensemble and was featured at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NY in 2017.
In addition to a busy concert schedule in New England and annual summer appearances in France, Joelle is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and is a frequent adjudicator for All-State auditions and NATS competitions.