We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vita Koreneva. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vita below.

Vita, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Learning to sing opera is not for the faint-hearted! The journey to mastering your own voice and achieving the skill to produce an awe-inspiring sound that resonates through a large hall, soaring over an orchestra, is a marathon, not a sprint. Consider this: an opera singer performs against a large orchestra, sometimes consisting of nearly a hundred pieces, like in Wagner’s Ring cycle. In today’s fast-paced world, theaters are eager to hire young singers who have ‘arrived’—a term in the industry that denotes singers who have mastered everything from a solid vocal technique and multilingual proficiency to strong musicianship and compelling stage presence. This race to secure roles in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall or the Metropolitan opera often places unrealistically tough demands on young opera singers. Age is not just a number under such circumstances, it can either mean a victory (young singers can get into prestigious Young Artist Programs with performance opportunities and good career prospects) or a downfall (singing repertoire that is not right for a singer’s voice type that can ruin the voice, for example). Which one will it be for you?
It depends on many things, of course, but in my personal opinion, there is one factor that contributes to the success should an opportunity to shine present itself. With an abundance of singers and limited high-quality professional opportunities, many are forced to cut corners, sing unsuitable repertoires, and take on multiple gigs to gain recognition, often at the expense of their voices and well-being.

As a mezzo-soprano myself, I’ve navigated these challenging paths and realized that everything—voice, musicality, stage presence—is deeply rooted in the individual’s ability to stay grounded. Who you are as a person matters immensely. What do you believe in and find inspiration from? How do you handle rejection? How do you define success? Do you let arrogance creep in when things go your way, or do you feel lost after another perceived failure when a theater chooses someone else to sing your dream role?
Knowing what I know now, one thing is clear: all experiences shape us psychologically and mentally, just as going to the gym sculpts our muscles. Finding your spiritual core, maintaining a good head on your shoulders, and a healthy self-esteem rather than an inflated or bruised ego, truly defines you as a person and a musician.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When my mother was pregnant with me, she bought a book titled “100 Operas” without knowing exactly why.

 It’s as if it’s been preordained.
My name is Vita Koreneva, an operatic mezzo-soprano who also composes music, writes songs and poetry, and is good with math. I’ve spent an earlier half of my life in Moscow, Russia and the latter half in the United States. As a child I began taking voice lessons and was studying piano at the Central Music School of Moscow (Tchaikovsky State Conservatory).

Developing an operatic voice is a long journey that requires not only talent and dedication, but also financial resources.
“A celebrated mezzo soprano known for her talent, in opera and music” and “Her captivating performances have resonated with audiences showcasing her delivery and powerful stage presence” are just a few of my operatic reviews. Throughout my singing career I have portrayed roles like Lubasha in “Tsars Bride,” Lyubava in the debut of “Sadko” in the US, La Frugola in “Il Tabarro “, Adalgisa in “Norma.” I’ve sung at the Lincoln Center in New York and the State Capella of St. Petersburg and performed with the Metropolitan Opera Guild and the Washington National Cathedral Choral Society.
 I have received an Honorary Award from UNESCO in New York and recognition from the Russian Cultural Center in Washington, DC for strengthening Russian-American cultural relationship.
Currently, I am collaborating with several other composers to write an original one act opera in English called “3:16”. The music of the opera is both melodically and harmoniously captivating, respecting traditions of composing for the voice.
In addition to my singing and composing pursuits I derive inspiration from giving back to the community and sharing knowledge with younger artists. Together with two other singers, I co-founded DictionBuddy, a mobile app aimed at simplifying the learning process of lyric diction. With a library of over 1,300 titles across 13 languages DictionBuddy empowers classical singers to master new musical pieces in foreign languages.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since my step father died early on, I knew that I had to rely on myself and work hard to support my mother and an intellectually challenged step brother. Interestingly enough, in high school I had discovered that I am good with numbers, better than many of my peers. Although I continued to improve my voice, play piano, and compose in order to become a better musician, I have also graduated with an MBA in Finance. And I’ll soon complete my Composition degree studies from the Berklee School of Music.

Being an opera singer has taken me to perform on some remarkable stages, such as the Lincoln Center. Similarly, my proficiency with numbers led me to work on Wall Street. Sometimes, people underestimate someone who excels in multiple industries, whether in arts or business. Once, an investment banker criticized me, saying, “Who is she really, a singer or a financier?” He didn’t realize that it takes twice the effort to be proficient in both fields and twice the dedication to stay true to one’s talents and authenticity.

If you ever doubt your talent and purpose because of someone’s unpleasant remarks, remember not to take it to heart. You are the one walking in your shoes, not anyone else. Being happy is a choice!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding experience in life as a musician is touching a listener’s heart. A true artist remains faithful to the music, the words, and the composer’s intent yet embraces the freedom to express and interpret with individuality. When I perform, whether as an opera singer or a singer-songwriter singing my own songs, I feel a direct connection between my heart and soul and the audience. We are in it together, sharing a moment of deep knowing, truth, and divinity called music.

I believe that during those moments, listeners heal from their traumas, feel elevated, and become energized.
The way we make people feel stays with them forever!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vitakoreneva.com
• Instagram: vitakorenevamezzo
• Twitter: VitaKoreneva
• Youtube: vitakoreneva
• Other: https://tiktok.com/vitakoreneva

Image Credits

Image credits: Steven Bagley, Heather Bobeck, Tatsiana Turtlefeet