Tess Ottinger, soprano, is a versatile performer based in the Northern Virginia area and is passionate about performing all aspects of the classical art form. Most recently, Ms. Ottinger has performed with the Young Victorian Theatre Company, making her debut as Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Ottinger won 1st place in the 2021 and 2022 Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS competition, and placed 2nd in the 2021 NATS Artist Award.

While pursuing her Master of Music at the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute, Ms. Ottinger performed the roles of Lisette in Puccini’s La Rondine and Nella in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. She also had the opportunity to perform in several recitals, including Lori Laitman’s I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Pre-pandemic, Ms. Ottinger was the chosen vocalist for the INTERPLAY: A Peabody-UMBC Partnership project.

Additionally, Ms. Ottinger has performed as a soloist with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Williamsburg Choral Guild, Oratorio Society of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University Symphony, VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and VCU Commonwealth Singers, performing works such as Poulenc’s Gloria. In 2020 Ms. Ottinger was scheduled to perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, but this event was canceled due to the pandemic. She currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia.

Ms. Ottinger is currently on the voice faculty at the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, and is a soprano section leader at The National Presbyterian Church. She holds two Bachelor of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance/Vocal Pedagogy from The Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute.