Jamie Alston

Soprano Jamie Kay Alston has distinguished herself as a concert performer of the classical repertoire, particularly sacred and American music. As the first soprano section leader of East Valley Millennial Choirs and Orchestras since 2009, Ms. Alston has been a frequent soloist in such works as “Come Unto Him” from Handel’s Messiah and a premiere of “The New Colossus.” During her time in Kansas, she soloed with and led the soprano section of the Topeka Festival Singers, and she appeared as a solo artist on Topeka’s Songs of the Sabbath concert series. She was frequently featured as a soloist with the Arizona State University Jazz, Women’s, and University Choirs, including performances of the Verdi and Fauré Requiems.  She performed solo in Rob Gardner’s concert production of Saints and Pioneers and twice won first place in her division of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition.

Beyond the large scale concert works she is known for, Jamie adores exploring American folk and art song for smaller stages. As a founding artist of Salonnières, some of her favorite repertoire includes arrangements of traditional songs, numbers from classical musical theater, and works by Copland, Barber, and Bernstein. 

In addition to her work on the concert stage, Ms. Alston has performed leading roles across the country, including  Lucy in Menotti’s two person opera The Telephone, Laurey in Oklahoma!, and Sarah in The Forgotten Carols. She pioneered the role of Sarah Parker in 1856: The Musical, singing to sold-out audiences at the Mesa Arts Center and Salt Lake City’s Capitol Theatre and subsequently recording the role under the direction of the composer.

Ms. Alston has enjoyed teaching for over a decade, guiding a studio comprising of group classes for children and private lessons for teenagers and adults.  She has given masterclasses in Arizona and Idaho, and dedicated four years to conducting a 150 voice church choir that led interfaith community concerts in Queen Creek, Arizona.  

Ms. Alston studied vocal performance at ASU with Judy May and choir with Dr. Karen Parthun on a Herberger Fine Arts Scholarship and received her BM in choral music education. Other teachers include Anne Marie Snook (Washburn University) and M. Todd Queen. A native of upstate NY,  Jamie now resides in north Mesa with her husband John and their three children.  She loves running and baking, even though they tend to cancel each other out.

Email: jamie@hammerandstrings.com