Sara LeMesh
Hebrew and English
My name is Sara LeMesh (pronounced Luh-MESH). I was born in San Francisco, California, and developed a love for language from a young age. At eight years old, I began studying classical voice and piano and became enchanted with classical art songs while studying with a Swedish opera singer. At the age of eleven, I started studying French and continued improving my skills in college when I studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence. I also grew up attending Jewish services at a Reform synagogue with my family. These services strongly featured the Hebrew language and further solidified my love of language and diverse musical worlds. During 2021-22, I lived in Jerusalem, Israel, where I intensively studied Hebrew and Jewish sacred music. My year of studies changed my life and inspired me to continue studying Hebrew as a lifelong passion.
I earned my Bachelor of Music Degree from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and my Master of Music Degree from the Bard College-Conservatory of Music in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. I live in New York City with my husband and rescue dog and travel frequently as a professional opera singer. Recent engagements include performing as the soprano soloist in Poulenc’s Gloria in the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall and winning First Prize in the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. I have performed roles with numerous opera companies, including West Bay Opera, West Edge Opera, The Little Opera Theatre of New York, Aspen Music Festival & School, Music Academy of the West, and Opera Naples. I also specialize in art song recitals and chamber music and have performed at the Marlboro Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, SongFest, and Brooklyn Art Song Society.
In addition to teaching the Hebrew language, I am passionate about sharing my love of Jewish music with wider audiences. I recently debuted my recital, Voices of Identity: Songs of the Jewish Diaspora, with pianist Allegra Chapman at the Zimmerli Museum of Rutgers University, and I look forward to bringing the recital to the Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco in August 2024.
Whether you are brand new to Hebrew or looking to reengage with the language, I would love to help you gain more confidence and knowledge!