Known for her shimmering high notes and captivating stage presence, French American soprano Célia Wollenberg always delights audiences with her authentic storytelling, communicative humor, and sparkling sound. Her portrayal of Lakmé was described as "an impressive blend of seductive, innocent, uncompromising and passionate" and her interpretation of Philine, in Mignon, was praised as a "playful and suitably over-the-top, vibrato enriched extravagance."
Célia completed her studies at the University of Oklahoma, where she received a Bachelor of Musical Arts with distinction, a Master of Music, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in voice performance. Her primary teachers were Dr. Donna Mitchell-Cox, Fred Carama, and renowned mezzo-soprano Marylin Horne. A Vocal Institute Fellow at the Music Academy of the West for two consecutive summers, she worked with artists including Warren Jones, Carrie Ann Matheson, Margo Garrett, and George Manahan.
Célia is also a dedicated and caring teacher. A member of the OU Voice faculty for the past several years, she teaches private Voice, Acting for Opera, French Lyric Diction, and The Understanding of Music. A certified teacher in the Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method, she believes in a holistic approach to singing, leading with gentle rigor, humor, and grace, encouraging self-discovery and mastery of skills through the development of mindfulness, awareness, and self-confidence.
Célia lives in Norman with her husband, Justin, their son, Michel, and their two kitties, Sunny and Luna. A native of Nice, France, she earned a Bachelor in English Literature and Civilization from the University of Nice. She is a soloist and choir section leader at the First Presbyterian Church of Norman. She enjoys history, philosophy, psychology, weight lifting and yoga.
