DAVID H. SCHNELL

David H. Schnell grew up singing in Las Vegas.  When not singing at the summit after a vigorous climb at Red Rock Canyon, he could often be found singing back up on “the strip” with his high school choir for such artists as Barry Manilow and the Gatlin Brothers. 
David started college in Reno, where he was recruited to perform backup for Toni Tennille and also sang regularly with the Nevada Opera Chorus under the great voice teacher, Ted Puffer.  David finished his undergraduate degree in voice at Clayton College in Atlanta, where he performed the roles of Haman, in Brad Whitefield’s Orphan Queen, Robert Oppenheimerin the world premiere of Trinity: A Minstrel Show at the 14th St. Playhouse, William in Thomas Arne’s The May Pole, Don Basilio and Don Curzio in Mozart’s Marriage or Figarro and also enjoyed two seasons at the Fox Theater with the Atlanta Opera Chorus.
 
In 2000, David crossed over into the world of music-theater as a grad student in the NYU music theater program.  While there, he performed as Jinx in Forever Plaid and in the chorus of Sondheim’s Assassins.  He went on to play the role of Jinx professionally in Chappaqua, NY, New Rochelle, NY, and Rehobeth Beach, DE. 

Since that time, David has been working as a crossover artist performing opera, musical theater, and various concerts.  Notable performances include a 2008 trip to Castres, France with the New York Opera Society to play the role of Bardolfo in Verdi’s Falstaff, the role of Flute/Thysbe in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Dell Arte’ Opera and a national Christmas tour of A Viennese Christmas, performing works of Victor Herbert and Sigmund Romberg.  In 2009-2010, David performed the roles of Mortimer in The Fantastics and Sancho in Man of La Mancha with the Natchez Festival of Music in Natchez, Mississippi.
Last Spring, David received his graduate degree from Queens College in NYC, where he performed the role of ‘Tenor’ in Argento’s Postcard from Morocco, working closely with director, David Ronis and voice teacher, Bruce Norris.

Most recently, David performed the roles of Herr Schlick and Lord Sorrel to critical acclaim with the likes of Sian Philips (Livia, 1976 BBC I, Claudius) in the Bard Festival’s new production of Bitter Sweet under the direction of Michael Gieleta.

When not traveling, David can often be heard Sunday mornings on Memphis radio, singing solos or sacred anthems with his wonderful wife at Idlewild Presbyterrian Church or in the car on the way home, singing politically incorrect duets from Avenue Q.

David is thrilled to be performing in the SoBe Arts world premiere of Dr. Kievman’s Hamlet and looks forward to escaping New York winters for the first summer in ten years at Miami Beach!

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SoBe Institute of the Arts 2011/2012 season is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council and the City of Miami Beach, as well as private foundations and individual donors.  Series sponsors and individual matching contributions help us to keep our events free or low cost to all.  Please consider sponsoring one or more events or making a tax deductible donation to SoBe Institute of the Arts, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit arts education and performance organization. For more information contact (305) 674-9220.

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