August 2005 article in the Gilroy Dispatch!

Sonia Gariaeff

Mezzo-soprano Sonia Gariaeff is rapidly establishing herself as one of the West Coast's most promising young singers. She most recently made her debut with Eugene Opera (Oregon) in the role of Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus. Other roles include Dorabella, Cherubino, Siebel, Smeton, Rosina, Annio and the title roles of La Cenerentola and Ariodante. As a member of Portland Opera's Young Artist program, she made her company mainstage debut as the Voice of Antonia's Mother in Les Contes d'Hoffmann. Critically acclaimed for her vocal opulence and comedic timing, Ms. Gariaeff is increasingly in demand with such companies as West Bay Opera, Festival Opera and Berkeley Opera.

This summer, Ms Gariaeff made her debut at the Carmel Bach Festival as an Adams Fellow. The August 10 Monterey Herald praises her "spirited, joyous, agile delivery...rich, tender, reflective tone".

Ms. Gariaeff was awarded the Grand Prize in the Carmel Music Society Vocal Competition in 2003 and appeared in recital at Carmel's Sunset Center in May, 2004.

Ms. Gariaeff was a National Grand Finalist in the prestigious Loren L. Zachary Competition in 2002 and 2004, and was selected as a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards in 2000, 2003 and 2004. In 2004, she was named as a Resident Artist in Education with the San Francisco Opera Center and was recently invited back for the 2005-6 season.

Ms. Gariaeff's oratorio and concert work include her recent debut with the San Francisco Symphony as a Peri in Schumann's Das Paradies und die Peri. Following that, she made her New York debut as Ariel in Sibelius' Suites from the Tempest. Gariaeff has also performed Schoenberg's Brettl-lieder as part of the Olympic Music Festival in Washington State.

Originally from the Bay Area, she received her Master's degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She currently resides in San Francisco.