Soprano Rina Lucas is known for her powerful instrument, effortless range, and musical versatility. Comfortable in multiple genres, Rina is sought after as a soloist for weddings, recitals, concerts, and other special occasions. She was the featured artist in voice, poetry, and paint for her own Piccolo Spoleto 2019 world premier show in Charleston, SC, “Seasons: A Visual and Vocal Journey” alongside composer and pianist Arshak Sirunyan, and they continued to dazzle audiences throughout the Lowcountry with encores of this multimedia performance. She was also a co-presenter, soloist, and visual artist for another Piccolo Spoleto 2019 production, “Sounds of the Holy City with Small Opera, Staff & Palette, and Mt. Zion AME”. She was delighted to make her debut with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist for the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah in December 2018 at Mt. Zion AME, and returned to this diverse stage in 2019 to once again “rejoice greatly” under the direction of Maestros David Richardson, Alphonso Brown, Yuriy Bekker, and Ken Lam. She has also performed with the Charleston United Choir for the televised Spotlight Awards held at the Gaillard Center in November 2018, and she was invited back as the lead soloist with background vocals by Earth Angels accompanied by Arshak Sirunyan for this same black tie event in November 2019 which recognizes South Carolina heroes while honoring the Emanuel Nine. She drew acclaim for her Charleston solo recital debut featuring her original oil paintings, poetry, and multi-genre repertoire including her own arrangements at historic Mt. Zion AME Church in June 2018. She has been a proud member of the Lowcountry Voices Mass Choir based in N. Charleston as well as the separately auditioned Concert Choir and has been featured as a regular soprano soloist for special events for Black History Month, as well as for numerous other concerts. She has also performed chorally alongside her LCV colleagues, outside of their regular busy concert schedule, with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra for the Sunset Serenade Concert to kick off Piccolo Spoleto 2018, with the N. Charleston Symphony Orchestra Pops in “Broadway Rocks” and “The Legend of Zelda”, and has traveled with the Choir on tour to Toronto, Canada. In addition, she has sung chorally as a first soprano with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Rina, whose name in Hebrew means “Joyfully Singing”, has over twenty years of experience singing with multiple church choirs including ensembles, worship teams, and solo work. Because of her Jewish heritage, she also has served in a Cantorial role singing prayers in Hebrew. She has performed multiple solos at various historic sites while traveling in Israel.
Rina’s path to the profession has been nontraditional, having turned to the arts full time in 2012 after a career as a Physical Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Science from James Madison University and her Master of Physical Therapy from Gannon University. Since that time, Rina has developed her musical gifts with several excellent mentors including Patricia Clevenger, Professor of Voice at Roanoke College, Sandra Barnhardt of Lift Up Your Voice Studio in Charleston, SC, and Dr. Jill Terhaar Lewis of Charleston Southern University.
Rina has performed for multiple National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Master Classes as well as a SCNATS State Student Auditions in Spartanburg where she won first place and a Certificate of Distinction in her category (Contemporary Commercial Music). After receiving accolades from judges and reaching the final rounds of multiple voice competitions including Medici International Music Competition, CS Music, and New York Lyric Opera Company, she has been spotlighted in a national publication, CS Music Magazine, for her unique emergence into a fascinating new career.
Read about Rina, “An Artist in Voice and Paint” in CS Music Magazine here!
She was awarded Honorary Mention in the Medici International Music Competition 2021 for classical voice, was a finalist in the CS Music Fall Online Voice Competition 2021 for classical voice, and a semifinalist in the Music International Grand Prix 2022 for both classical and popular voice.
Staff & Palette is proud to bring the artistry of Rina Lucas – Voice, Poetry, Paint, and Maestro Arshak Sirunyan – Piano, to the Community Hall at The Floyd Center for the Arts on June 18th, 2022 from 5pm – 7pm in their latest original multimedia performance of “Seasons: From Sea to Summit” which explores rising through the seasons of the year and of life. After the concert please enjoy an opening reception with the artists to celebrate Rina’s Visual Art Exhibit of the same title in the Falcon Gallery. Tickets $25 Advance/ $30 Door/ $15 Students.
Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors for their generous support:
Art Works