Catching Up with a 2024 Fellow: Janani Sridhar

After the inaugural Fellowship of the Song in May 2024, we thought we’d check in with a few of the artists who joined us in Cincinnati for a week of inspirational study, coaching, and performance. Here’s our conversation with soprano Janani Sridhar.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in music thus far?

Absolutely! I studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music during my undergraduate years, where I received a Bachelor of Music, before going on to do my Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music. I did my Doctor of Musical Arts at Stony Brook University, and an Artist Diploma at Texas Christian University. While I was ABD during my doctoral studies, I started freelancing and sang at companies such as Salt Marsh Opera, Opera NEO, Des Moines Metro Opera, Toledo Opera, Fort Worth Opera, and Singapore Lyric Opera, to name a few. In March of 2020, I had a year and a half of work booked back-to back, when the pandemic hit. The world shut down, and I lost all of my performing work that I had booked. It was then that I joined Centenary College of Louisiana where I led the voice department for three years, before joining DePauw University as the Voice Area Coordinator last year. During the pandemic, there were no opportunities to sing opera safely, and I missed making music. I began to explore my love for art song more in depth, and fell even more in love with the art form. I started doing recital tours with my collaborative partners, and also concertizing with symphonies more. Recently, I had my Carnegie Hall debut as the soprano soloist in Poulenc’s Gloria!

This season, I performed Britten’s Les Illuminations and Siete canciones populares españolas in concert with string orchestra, as well as the soprano soloist in Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. I also gave recitals in Kentucky and Indiana, which showcased song repertoire by composers of colour. I was also thrilled to be part of Cincinnati Song Initiative’s inaugural program, The Fellowship of the Song!

What drew you to the Fellowship?

The study and performance of song is incredibly important to me because music transcends the barriers of language and culture. One of the most compelling ways that I have found to find common ground with people in a community is through song. The music that I am passionate about, and have been performing more of especially in the last few years is music by composers that are often marginalized. I am also a huge proponent of new works, and programming genre-inclusive recitals. I often perform music both within and outside of the classical canon; jazz, tangos, boleros, musical theatre, and folk songs are part of the repertoire that I enjoy performing. To me, art song needs to represent the world and audiences around us, especially in regard to culture, language, musical style, and identity.

The Fellowship of the Song drew me because I wanted to continue to grow artistically, and hone my voice as a twenty-first century musician. Cincinnati Song Initiative has been on the forefront of doing the important work of championing art song, and educating audiences, and I deeply wanted to be a part of that! Also, I have huge respect for and deep admiration of Margo Garrett and wanted to learn from her wisdom!

“There are not very many programs that are of this incredible caliber dedicated to art song, and I am so grateful to be part of it.”

What features were most enjoyable to you and how was this a unique experience?

I enjoyed every aspect of the program! I learned so much from the coachings and workshops, and loved getting to work with my incredible collaborative partners! There are not very many programs that are of this incredible caliber dedicated to art song, and I am so grateful to be part of it. Sam is a visionary, and I’m really grateful for the work he is doing to keep growing our audiences, and the awareness of this incredible art form.

How have you been since joining us this summer as a Fellow?

I have been busy! After the residency, I joined Charlottesville Opera as an Ader Emerging Artist for their season, singing in multiple shows and concerts, as well as the role of Eulalie Shinn in The Music Man. At Charlottesville Opera, I was also invited to represent the company to sing the American national anthem at the 62nd Annual July 4th Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. It was such a moving experience to hear the incredible Misty Copeland give the keynote address, to meet and speak with her, and to hear some of the stories of the newly naturalized citizens. I am the first Singaporean to have sung the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Monticello, and as an immigrant from Singapore, it was exciting, and a true honour!

In July, I also had the honour of being invited to perform at the Singapore Embassy in Washington, DC, in celebration of Singapore Armed Forces Day. The honoured guests in attendance at this event included Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew, General Timothy Haugh, Commander of the U.S Cyber Command, Under-Secretary of the Navy the Honourable Erik Raven, and Acting Deputy Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy Ms. Cara Abercrombie, as well as military friends of Singapore, and from around the globe. The event paid tribute to the defence partnership between Singapore and the US, that has spanned many decades. My Singaporean heart was thrilled to be part of this event that promoted peace, and joint partnership between my homes.

Soprano Janani Sridhar and pianist Tzu Kuang Tan performing at the 2024 Fellowship of the Song

How has your time as a Fellow has changed the way you approach your artistry and music?

I have more musical and textual tools in my toolbox to express songs with, and have an even deeper understanding of the collaborative partnership between pianists and singers. It also felt wonderful to have performed complex and tricky music, and to have the skills to navigate pieces like those under my belt.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you to Sam, Margo, and all my fellow friends for all the joy you brought me this summer! Also, singers and pianists, please apply to be a fellow during the next round of this fellowship; it is an incredible experience!