Talya

Bio

Talya discovered her passion for singing, dancing and acting at an early age. Born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, she later trained and graduated from the Juilliard School and also received a degree in vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music.

Talya is a proud member of Actors’ Equity (AEA). She has appeared in prestigious venues all over the world, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Broadway stage, Opera and Symphony Halls in China, cabarets, nightclubs, and even sung the National Anthem at Citifield for the New York Mets.

Talya is also a voice teacher and certified yoga instructor. Her voice studio consists of students from the NY tri-state area. She has over a decade of experience teaching students of all ages, ranging from elementary school through adulthood, in both group and private settings. She teaches ‘Bel Canto’ and ‘McClosky’ techniques that are tailored to the needs of the singer. She incorporates yoga techniques into her voice lessons to help the student achieve good breath support and body alignment. Her many years of studying the “Alexander Technique” has also proved to be a very helpful tool in aiding her students to achieve their vocal and artistic goals.

Versatile in various musical styles and genres, Talya has also toured France performing with a Klezmer ensemble. She now holds her own pulpit on Long Island’s North Shore where she is the Cantor at Congregation L’Dor V’Dor in Oyster Bay, NY.

Talya is the lead singer of a Jazz ensemble called “Thread of Blue” performing around the tri-state area. She has a diverse repertoire including Mozart and Puccini arias, French Chanson, German Lieder, Italian art songs, Yiddish and Ladino folk melodies, Israeli/Hebrew songs, and a love of the Great American Songbook.

Talya has composed original songs as well, to be featured on an upcoming album project. She is acclaimed for her ability to easily maneuver between different genres and styles with her warm, clear, ‘angelic’ sound and versatile instrument. With virtuosic musicality, and joyful charisma, Talya reaches into the hearts of her listeners.

A recent quote from press

Talented lyric soprano and voice teacher Talya Smilowitz lit up the walls with smiles and laughter for the last remaining guests. She sang tunes from The Sound of Music, Girl from Ipanema, and favorites like “Tomorrow” from “Annie”, “I Got Rhythm” by Gershwin, and the fun and fanciful “Supercalifragelistic” from Mary Poppins. She had a spunky, flirtatious aura and a pure voice. “Vedrai Carino” from Don Giovanni was her highlight. – Huffington Post