This month, our Springboard SPOTLIGHT shines on Aryssa Leigh Burrs, one of our 2017 Springboard Grant Winners.
Aryssa Leigh Burrs
At what age did you begin performing and what inspired you to do so?
I was as young as I can remember! I have been lucky enough to have two musicians for parents, so I was around music making all the time. I am sure that by spending most of my free time in rehearsal with either mom or dad, I picked up the itch to be singing, myself.
What was the most exciting thing that’s happened to you as you’ve pursued the performing arts?
Just this past weekend, I actually sang an aria by one of my favorite living composers for Opera Philadelphia’s Composer Celebration Gala. That was really exciting!
What are some stumbling blocks you’ve encountered along the way?
I think all artists struggle with imposter syndrome throughout their careers. It is hard in the face of consistent rejection to remember that we are totally worth people’s time and shared energy when it comes to our special musical gifts.
Dream big … If you can envision achieving great success in the performing arts, describe what that would that look like?
I would have a very full (but not overly busy!) life of projects that really say something to me and the world around us. It would look like spending almost all of my time bouncing between opera and musical theater productions, cool choral gigs, and producing my own concerts!
What’s your favorite genre of music and why?
I really do not have a favorite, but I may say soulful pop and folk are the genres I find myself listening to largely!
Have you ever met a really famous performing artist and if so, who was it and what was your interaction?
I actually got to meet and sing for Bono just a few months ago! I sang some of his music with a small choir as he gave an interview with John Meacham at the National Cathedral! He was so cool.
Describe what you think would be most the most useful or beneficial thing to you, if given the opportunity to mentored by a successful artist?
I would always love to hear people’s tips on self-marketing! That’s very challenging for me, especially in the social media sphere.
As a performing artist, what stands in the way of fulfilling your dreams?
Of course, monetary value tends to be the largest obstacle! I have so many ideas for concerts and projects that I feel confident within, it is just always a matter of finding the financial support. Both for individual projects, and the livelihoods of the artists making them. This is why supportive organizations like BMFA are so important, they give us that much more of a step ahead!
If you could have lunch with an A-list performing artist, who would that be?
I would love to have lunch with singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles! I adore her music and have always felt that we would be good friends.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? 🙂
Well, one way to do it is to begin singing with the Grammy Award-winning, Philadelphia based choir The Crossing. I’ll be singing at Carnegie Hall for the first time this week with them!
Favorite Musician: Sara Bareilles
Favorite Musical Instrument: Oboe and Guitar
Favorite Actor: Idris Elba
Favorite Actress: Saoirse Ronan
Favorite Comedian: Ali Wong
Favorite Dancer: Misty Copeland
Favorite Movie: Little Women (2019)
Favorite Show: Parks and Rec
If you couldn’t be a performing artist, what would you like to do?
Work with children somehow, maybe be a teacher or music therapist!
Biography
Vocalist Aryssa Leigh Burrs is hailed for her “rich sound and thoughtful musical ideas” while “transcending vocal styles and genres with flexibility and ease.” In the 22/23 season, Ms. Burrs has been seen with InSeries Opera as Orpheus/Speranza (Nightsong of Orpheus), Requiem, and Ordering of Moses. As a previous Resident Artist with Opera Columbus-Capital University, Ms. Burrs performed Ramona (Vanqui) and Zerlina (Don Giovanni). Other recent engagements include being an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera, alto soloist with the Apollo’s Chorus for Stacy Garrop’s Terra Nostra, Elvis Costello’s The Juliet Letters (UrbanArias), Mame Dennis in Mame (The Seagle Festival). Obtaining a Masters of Music in Voice/Opera from Northwestern University, she tackled Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Captain (Dog Days), Baba the Turk (The Rake’s Progress), as well as solos with various choral and orchestral ensembles: (Am I born, David T. Little; Terra Nostra, Stacy Garrop; The Branch Will Not Break, Christopher Cerrone). Aryssa is a ’22 & ‘23 American Traditions Competition Quarterfinalist and is the founder of ALB Produces. Ms. Burrs is a choral artist with the National Shrine, The Thirteen, and Grammy-Award winning ensemble the Crossing. She holds a B. Music in Voice and a B. Music Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.
