Ms. Lawrence is an emerging presence in The Operatic and Concert scene. She comes to us from the Midwestern state of Indiana.  Ms. Lawrence was recently described as, “a marquis performer with the ability to take the stage, and command an audience!”  DeVonna has had the opportunity of expressing herself in many different areas of music including; musical theater, jazz, oratorio and gospel music.  Ms. Lawrence began her musical career in the nationally acclaimed “music telling” troupe, Tales & Scales under the direction of 2005 winner of The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award, Bridget Muldoon McDaniel.  While traveling with the group, she made special appearances with Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony as well as working with composer Gary William Friedman and dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington.

While studying toward her masters at the Longy School of Music, Ms. Lawrence worked with author and dramatic coach, Daniel Helfgot as well as Dramatic Soprano Donna Roll and Baritone, Robert Honeysucker. DeVonna’s operatic roles include: The title role of Pamina, in the Die Zauberflöte with the Opera festival of Rome in Rome, Italy.  She performed the concert roles of Mimi and Musetta of La Boheme, with The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and The Indianapolis Symphony.  She was also cast as the premiere role of "Beauty, in "Beauty and the Beast” by American 21st Century composer Richard Faith.  The roles of Lauretta from “Gianni Schicchi,” The Strawberry Woman and Lily, in “Porgy and Bess,” were directed by “Baritone Extrodinaire,” Vernon Hartman.  DeVonna was the winner of the NATS Teacher Association competition in Boston, Massachusetts, and semi finalist and audience favorite at the Savannah on Stage, American Songs and Traditions competition.

Christian Book Award Author Walter Wangerin Jr. speaks of Ms. Lawrence’s “angelic voice” in “Mis lil and the Chronicles of Faith,” and Ragman. She was also asked to sing the Haitian National Anthem for Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide. 

In “The Peppermint Pops,” with conductor Alfred Savia,  DeVonna had the privilege of working with actor Ron Glass, and Broadway singer from Tim Ewing.  Other concerts include; “A tribute to Gershwin with the Indianapolis Symphony and a Gospel Celebration with the Philharmonic of Indianapolis.  She was also a vocalist for the concert lecture, based on the book of author H.C. Boyer, “Old ship of Zion.” 

Although opera has been the primary focus in Ms. Lawrence career, gospel music of the church has always been very close to her heart.  She recently completed a gospel CD with gospel group “The Sounds of Grace,” out of hometown Evansville, Indiana.  She can be heard singing the loved spiritual, “His eye is on the sparrow.”

 

BIO | PHOTOS