BIOGRAPHY
Mia Gimenez is an acclaimed vocalist and stage performer whose career bridges opera, musical theatre, and contemporary music on some of the most respected stages across the United States and abroad. Known for her commanding stage presence and vocal versatility, she has captivated audiences with performances ranging from powerhouse belting to soaring lyricism, bringing depth and authenticity to every role she embodies.
Her professional credits include appearances with leading companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg), Tony® Award-winning TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (Sweeney Todd – Beggar Woman), Broadway By the Bay (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award winner, Les Misérables – Fantine), Timberlake Playhouse (Mamma Mia! – Rosie; The Sound of Music – Mother Abbess), and Riverside Theatre (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 – Hélène Bezukhova). She has also collaborated with directors and conductors affiliated with Juilliard, Paris National Opera, New York City Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.
Mia’s regional and guest artist appearances include performances with Ray of Light Theatre (Jerry Springer: The Opera – Andrea), Nolte Productions (Rock of Ages – Justice), City Circle Theatre Company (Songs for a New World – Woman 1, Sweeney Todd – Mrs. Lovett, Evita – Eva Perón), Old Creamery Theatre (Elephant & Piggie: We Are in a Play! – Piggie), Theatre Cedar Rapids (Cinderella – Fairy Godmother), University of Iowa Guest Artist credits (Fun Home – Helen, Sunday in the Park with George – Dot), and Sonnets for an Old Century (Cordelia Gonzalez). Her interpretations have drawn critical praise for their emotional clarity and vocal precision, with reviewers calling her performances “heartbreaking,” “stunning visually and vocally,” and “full-throated, passionate, and transformative.”
In addition to her extensive performing career, Mia has contributed to the development of future artists as the founder of the internationally recognized Gimenez Voice Academy. Her students have gone on to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, sign with major record labels like Virgin Records, and secure spots at elite performing arts institutions worldwide.
Now based in Queensland, Australia, Mia is expanding her international reach with new collaborations and projects, including her upcoming cabaret, Almost Bernadette™. With her rich theatrical background, global experience, and artistry rooted in truth and connection, Mia continues to inspire audiences and fellow performers alike.
Her professional credits include appearances with leading companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg), Tony® Award-winning TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (Sweeney Todd – Beggar Woman), Broadway By the Bay (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award winner, Les Misérables – Fantine), Timberlake Playhouse (Mamma Mia! – Rosie; The Sound of Music – Mother Abbess), and Riverside Theatre (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 – Hélène Bezukhova). She has also collaborated with directors and conductors affiliated with Juilliard, Paris National Opera, New York City Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.
Mia’s regional and guest artist appearances include performances with Ray of Light Theatre (Jerry Springer: The Opera – Andrea), Nolte Productions (Rock of Ages – Justice), City Circle Theatre Company (Songs for a New World – Woman 1, Sweeney Todd – Mrs. Lovett, Evita – Eva Perón), Old Creamery Theatre (Elephant & Piggie: We Are in a Play! – Piggie), Theatre Cedar Rapids (Cinderella – Fairy Godmother), University of Iowa Guest Artist credits (Fun Home – Helen, Sunday in the Park with George – Dot), and Sonnets for an Old Century (Cordelia Gonzalez). Her interpretations have drawn critical praise for their emotional clarity and vocal precision, with reviewers calling her performances “heartbreaking,” “stunning visually and vocally,” and “full-throated, passionate, and transformative.”
In addition to her extensive performing career, Mia has contributed to the development of future artists as the founder of the internationally recognized Gimenez Voice Academy. Her students have gone on to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, sign with major record labels like Virgin Records, and secure spots at elite performing arts institutions worldwide.
Now based in Queensland, Australia, Mia is expanding her international reach with new collaborations and projects, including her upcoming cabaret, Almost Bernadette™. With her rich theatrical background, global experience, and artistry rooted in truth and connection, Mia continues to inspire audiences and fellow performers alike.
Theatre |
Opera |
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Musical Theatre Performances
Williams** - Sondhiem on Sondheim in Concert, City Circle Acting Company Mother Abbess** - Sound of Music, Timber Lake Playhouse Mama Lilly ** - Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Timber Lake Playhouse Rev. Mother ** - Nunsense, Timber Lake Playhouse Hélène Bezukhova** - Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Riverside Theatre Fairy Godmother - Cinderella, Theatre Cedar Rapids Cordelia Gonzalez** - Sonnets for an Old Century, Riverside Theatre Woman 2* - Songs for a New World , City Circle Theatre Company Eva Peron - Evita, City Cirle Theatre Company Rosie* - Mamma Mia, Timber Lake Playhouse Piggie - Elephant & Piggie's We Are In A Play, Old Creamery Theatre Dot* -Sunday in the Park with George, University of Iowa Hedda Hopper - Chaplin the Musical , Revival Theatre Company Rebecca - Rotten Eggnog, World Premiere, Riverside Theatre Helen Bechdel* - Fun Home, University of Iowa Mainstage Reno Sweeney - Anything Goes, Iowa City Community Theatre Fruma Sara - Fiddler on the Roof, City Circle Acting Company of Coralville Justice Charlier* - Rock of Ages, Nolte Productions Mrs. Lovett - Sweeney Todd, City Circle Acting Company of Coralville Fantine* - Les Miserables, Broadway By The Bay Violet Hilton - Side Show, Altarena Playhouse, Oakland California Beggar Woman** - Sweeney Todd, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Andrea - Jerry Springer The Opera, Ray of Light Theatre, San Francisco Lily - The Secret Garden, Ray of Light Theatre, San Francisco Philia - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, City Circle Anne - A Little Night Music, ICCT Rapunzel - Into the Woods, ICCT Joanne - Godspell, ICCT Angelique - O Pioneers, City Circle Angel/Wife - Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Cow 2 - Quilters Corps* - Sweet & Hot, the Songs of Harold Arlen Coaches/InstructorsEd Berkeley (Juilliard), Robert Gurney (Juilliard), Sally Stunkel (Aspen Opera Theatre Center), Shari Rhoades, Steve Sanders (Broadway), William Hobbs (Houston Grand) Richard Bouldrey, Sylvia Plyler (CCM), Richard Bado (Houston Grand Opera), Matthew Castle (Broadway)
Director/ProducerGhost Quartet, Producer/Music Director, Gimenez Voice Academy
Songs for a New World, Producer/Music Director, Gimenez Voice Academy School of Rock, Music Director/Nolte Productions James and the Giant Peach, Director, Nolte Productions Side Show, Director, Nolte Productions Halloween Cabaret, Nolte Production (October 2018) Former Director of Music/United Methodist Church (Iowa Leadership & Industry EngagementNational Association of Teachers of Singing
(NATS USA Officer with the Iowa Chapter 2019-2023, Australia National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS) Queensland Music Teachers Association (QMTA) Actors’ Equity Association: Active member Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards: Adjudicator Iowa High School Music Association: Adjudicator PhilanthropyNAACP Legal Defense Fund
Riverside Theatre 'Riverdog' Victory Center Rescue Mission Women's Foundation Glide Church SF La Casa de las Madres Art in Action |
Opera Theatre Performances
Zerlina - Don Giovanni Pine Mountain Music Festival Constance - Les Dialogues Des Carmelites, Aspen Opera Theatre Center Dorine - Tartuffe,University of Iowa Opera Gretel - Hansel & Gretel, University of Iowa Opera Lauretta - Gianni Schicchi, University of Iowa Opera Yum-Yum - The Mikado, University of Iowa Opera Marie - The Daughter of the Regiment, University of Iowa Opera Blöndchen - Die Entführung aus dem Serail, University of Iowa Opera Susanna - Le Nozze de Figaro Despina - Cosi Fan Tutte Musetta - La Bohème Barbarina - The Marriage of Figaro Sadie - Slow Dusk OratorioFairy/A Midsummer Nights Dream/David Zinman – Aspen
Soloist/Lord Nelson Mass Soloist/The Messiah Soloist/Beethoven Mass in C Soloist/Mass in Time of War Soloist/Garcia Requiem – San Francisco Lyric Chorus AwardsMetropolitan Opera National Council Regional Auditions / Honorable Mention & Advancement Award
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) / Three-time Finalist Ensembles***Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus – Donald Palumbo / Christian Thielemann
Aspen Opera Theatre Center – David Zinman / Julius Rudel / Steven Sloan / Robert Gurney Bracebridge Dinners, Yosemite National Park Holiday Pageant – Andrea Fulton ConductorsDonald Palumbo, Christian Thielemann, James Conlon, David Zinman, Julius Rudel, Steven Sloan, Barnaby Palmer, Weston Noble
MasterclassesDawn Upshaw, Gayletha Nichols (Met), Ed Berkeley & Stephen Smith (Juilliard), Steven Sloan (Boston Orchestra)
EducatorGimenez Voice Academy International (fka Fryvecind Voice Studio)
Founder, Private Instructor and Acting Coach Iowa Conservatory, Theatre Arts Faculty Nolte Academy, Theatre Arts Faculty National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Iowa Chapter VP Iowa High School Music Association Adjudicator Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards (Des Moines Performing Arts) EducationBachelor of Music –Vocal Performance from University of Iowa,
Performing Arts Industry Essentials, Music Industry Essentials from New York University |