Alexandra Levine
~ Soprano ~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Editor-in-Chief
Copa: Where are you from?
Alexandra: Sarasota, FL
Alexandra: Sarasota, FL
Copa: Which schools have you attended?
Alexandra: Magna cum laude, University of Florida B.M., Summa cum laude NYU Steinhardt school of music M.M.
Alexandra: Magna cum laude, University of Florida B.M., Summa cum laude NYU Steinhardt school of music M.M.
Copa: What were your favorite subjects and why?
Alexandra: Music and History. Music because I’m very artistic and I feel that being a musician made me more creative and challenged my brain. I love history because there were wars and historical artifacts that I wasn’t alive to see and to know these things existed before I was born is fascinating to read and learn about.
Alexandra: Music and History. Music because I’m very artistic and I feel that being a musician made me more creative and challenged my brain. I love history because there were wars and historical artifacts that I wasn’t alive to see and to know these things existed before I was born is fascinating to read and learn about.
Copa: At what time did you develop your passion for music?
Alexandra: My mother always said I sang before I spoke so that always resonated with me. I grew up singing in synagogues and theatres, and it just became apart of who I am today. I would say I was around 5 when I felt confident enough to sing in front of a crowd. Surprisingly enough, I was very shy as a young kid!
Alexandra: My mother always said I sang before I spoke so that always resonated with me. I grew up singing in synagogues and theatres, and it just became apart of who I am today. I would say I was around 5 when I felt confident enough to sing in front of a crowd. Surprisingly enough, I was very shy as a young kid!
Copa: Why is Classical music so important to you?
Alexandra: Classical music is very important to me because it tells a story about what each individual’s character is going through at that present moment. One can relate to each individual character and really express true emotion when singing opera. Opera is also the most difficult genre to sing so when my voice teacher told me I had the vocal chords to sing opera, I was taken back because I didn’t really know what that would entail for me in the long run. However, since I’ve been studying opera and classical music, I’ve become a more rounded musician and love the challenges of singing over a 100-500 piece orchestra without a microphone.
Alexandra: Classical music is very important to me because it tells a story about what each individual’s character is going through at that present moment. One can relate to each individual character and really express true emotion when singing opera. Opera is also the most difficult genre to sing so when my voice teacher told me I had the vocal chords to sing opera, I was taken back because I didn’t really know what that would entail for me in the long run. However, since I’ve been studying opera and classical music, I’ve become a more rounded musician and love the challenges of singing over a 100-500 piece orchestra without a microphone.
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Copa: How many languages do you sing in and what are your favorite Operas and why?
Alexandra: I sing in about 13 languages so far and counting. My favorite operas are the more dramatic; because they are the most difficult to sing and you can really convey the emotion of that character to the audience better. "Tosca" and "Carmen" are my two favorite operas. Both women exasperate emotion and are always fighting for freedom and acceptance in a world full of chaos. |
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Copa: Who are your favorite Opera singers of all time?
Alexandra: Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, and Joan Sutherland. All three were iconic artists that brought tradition and class to the stage.
Alexandra: Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, and Joan Sutherland. All three were iconic artists that brought tradition and class to the stage.
Luciano Pavorotti
Joan Sutherland
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Maria Callas
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Copa: In your personal opinion what makes Sopranos special?
Alexandra: Sopranos mostly are considered lead roles and when opera singers perform arias in concerts; “O Mio Babbino Caro” from "Gianni Schicci" and “Donde Lieta” from "La Boheme," they are the most popular arias that people remember and recognize. It’s a good thing and a bad thing because as a soprano, I’m perfecting how to sing the arias every time I perform; but because they are so iconic, the audience will know if you mess up. Also, as a soprano, there are operas were the lead is singing 45mins-1 hour straight so we really have to be on our game and take care of our minds and bodies before we do these intense roles. There is a lot of physical and mental preparation that goes into singing opera especially if you are the lead. |
Copa: Do you have any other special activities you would care to mention?
Alexandra: I do a lot of charity work for disabled veterans, law enforcement, first responders etc. I also have done charitable concerts where I donated half the proceeds to an organization in Jerusalem, Israel for special needs kids that couldn’t afford to have Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
Alexandra: I do a lot of charity work for disabled veterans, law enforcement, first responders etc. I also have done charitable concerts where I donated half the proceeds to an organization in Jerusalem, Israel for special needs kids that couldn’t afford to have Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
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Copa: What are your specific views on today's women in American society and culture?
Alexandra: There are so many opportunities now for women to thrive in the workforce for whatever profession they want to do. When the economy went into recession, the opera jobs were tough; so I went into retail and became an account coordinator for different makeup and skincare companies. When the economy was doing better, I was able to find a way to go back to singing through politics. So skies the limit for any women who wants to be successful. I do recommend especially now that women as well as men need to have a backup plan in case we have another recession. It’s always good nowadays to keep yourself busy and active. That helps with mental state and you end up meeting a lot of great people along the way. I always say “one door closes, another one opens.” You must do what you love and love what you do and never give up on your dreams! |
Copa: What does the future hold for Alexandra Levine and her world of music and life?
Alexandra: I would love to tour around the country singing again but also being a motivational speaker for people that feel depressed or have anxiety about what’s going on right now in the world. The pandemic was tough on everyone and a lot of people did not feel that they could get back to where they were. My hope is to inspire people to continue pursuing their dreams and let them know that I am here for them if they need a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes it’s good to talk to someone besides your parents because an outsider can give you a different perspective. I would love to be that person that helps someone get back on their feet.
Alexandra: I would love to tour around the country singing again but also being a motivational speaker for people that feel depressed or have anxiety about what’s going on right now in the world. The pandemic was tough on everyone and a lot of people did not feel that they could get back to where they were. My hope is to inspire people to continue pursuing their dreams and let them know that I am here for them if they need a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes it’s good to talk to someone besides your parents because an outsider can give you a different perspective. I would love to be that person that helps someone get back on their feet.
