A native of Youngstown, Ohio,  Amber R. Monroe is recognized as a “crystalline lyric soprano and a superb singing actress” (Seen and Heard-International). In the 2019-2020 season, Amber will be making three role debuts: Nedda (Pagliacci) with El Paso Opera,  the Countess (Le nozze di Figaro) with Kentucky Opera, and the First Lady (Die Zauberflöte) with CCM Opera.

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This past summer, Amber joined the Merola Opera Program of San Francisco, CA. She performed as Magda (La rondine) in the Schwabacher Summer Concert, as well as Madame Lidoine (Dialogues des Carmélites) in the Merola Grand Finale. In the world premiere of Jake Heggie’s new opera (If I Were You), Amber was featured as one of the two bar ladies. As a former young artist at The Glimmerglass Festival, Amber was seen as the Rooster/Jay (The Cunning Little Vixen), and covered the role of Anna Søreson (Kevin Puts’ Silent Night). 

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In previous years, Monroe has performed and studied in various summer programs both in the United States and Italy including the Italian Opera Study Abroad program in Pisa; the Chicago Summer Opera, covering the role of Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream); the CoOPERAtive Program at Westminster Choir College; and two summers at the Oberlin in Italy program in Arezzo, Italy—first as an Emerging Artist and the second performing the title role in Suor Angelica.

Amber completed her M.M. at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Professor of Voice, William McGraw. During her time in Cincinnati, Amber sang the Governess (Turn of the Screw) with CCM Opera, and joined the Opera Fusion: New Works program, a joint collaboration between Cincinnati Opera and CCM Opera, performing Lavia in Rufus Wainwright’s Hadrian. In addition, Amber also made her hometown debut as Clara (Porgy and Bess) with Opera Western Reserve. She is now continuing her studies in CCM’s Artist Diploma program. ​

 

Monroe earned her B.M. in voice from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Her work in Oberlin Opera Theater productions have ranged from the main stage at Hall Auditorium to contemporary operas in non-traditional venues. She has performed the roles of Lady Billows (Albert Herring), the Old Lady (Michael Torke’s Strawberry Fields), and Luigia (Viva la Mamma). In a touring co-production with Cleveland Opera Theater's New Opera Initiative, Amber sang the title role in the Midwest premiere of Nkeiru Okoye’s Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed the Line to Freedom.

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​On the concert stage and in oratorio, Amber has been a featured soloist in Schubert’s Mass in G Major, Vivaldi’s Gloria, as well as in a Lincoln Center performance of Roland Carter’s Hold Fast to Dreams with the Tuskegee University Golden Voice Concert Choir. In spring 2016, Amber performed as the soprano soloist in Stephen Hartke’s Symphony No. 4 with the Oberlin Orchestra. As a winner of the Oberlin Senior Concerto Competition, Amber sang Ricky Ian Gordon’s and flowers pick themselves with the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra.