JM
Soprano
Behind the Scenes
Jessie Massoudi
with
Iranian-American soprano Jessie Massoudi is a native of Southern California, and is best known for her fearless personality on stage. She has been described as having “a young, quirky Elizabeth McGovern quality” in her stage presence and “moves with distinctive personality – finding just the right balance of camp and economy of movement”, (Bruce Fessier, The Desert Sun).
Jessie has enjoyed playing leading roles in many operas, most notably Musetta (La Bohème – Desert Theatre League “Best Supporting Actress” award nominee), Miss Silverpeal (The Impresario), Giulietta (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Nella (Gianni Schicchi), and Dorabella (Così fan tutte). Jessie has also appeared in several musicals and operettas, including Janine (Gunfight at the Not-So-OK Saloon), Adele and “Allie”/Alfred (Die Fledermaus), Lisa (The Grand Duke), Lady Angela (Patience – Desert Theatre League “Best Supporting Actress” award winner), Gertrude McFuzz (Seussical the Musical), Amy March (Little Women the Musical), Evita, and Guys and Dolls.
Jessie
Ms. Massoudi holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Redlands, where she sang in the award winning Chapel Singers chamber ensemble under the direction of Jean-Sebastien Valleé. As a versatile artist, Jessie is also well known as a pop singer with a bluesy quality to her voice, and frequently performs with the jazz band, North Benched.
As a feminist, bisexual, first-generation and mixed-race Iranian-American, Jessie is also known for her strong activism in her community. She has recently become an Elections Coordinator for the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), and is now working as their Coalitions Coordinator to help bring other communities together. Ms. Massoudi hopes that in using her performing arts skills, she can raise awareness and help bring peace, calm, and understanding to the world.
“Where words fail, music speaks”
-Hans Christian Andersen