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The Dutch lyrical soprano, Maja Schermerhorn, spent several years teaching domestic science while receiving singing instruction from Atie Brederode-Bettink in The Hague. She continued her music studies under the direction of Elisabeth Lugt at the Maastrichts Conservatorium and passed her opera examination there with honours in 1969, being awarded her diploma as a vocal soloist the following year. Her proficiency in the German Lied was perfected during her subsequent participation in various international courses in interpretation given by Hermann Reutter and Hans Hotter. In 1970 she won 2nd Prize at the Nationaal Cum Laude Concours in Groningen prior to completing her vocal studies in Paris under Janine Micheau.
Maja Schermerhorn performs regularly as a soloist with choirs and orchestras as well as for radio and television. In addition, she has given several performances as guest soprano with various opera companies and song recitals with pianists such as Rudolf Jansen, Thom Bollen and Tan Crone. Her repertoire includes not only classical works but also a wide selection of contemporary music as well; a number of world premieres are attributed to her name. During the Festival for Modern Music in 1972 in Prague, she gave a song recital which led to various successful tours of Poland. She also appeared on American television, while performing in the Summer Festival 1978 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
She has worked with John Blot since 1977; included among their joint performances are concerts in the Kleine Zaal of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as well as in the Salle Gaveau and the Institut Neerlandais in Paris. One of the latter was broadcast in its entirety on the French radio.
Maja Schermerhorn has appeared as a soloist on several records. Her first solo LP issues in late 1983 was received with acclaim by music critics from both radio and the press. Maja Schermerhorn is a teacher of voice at the Conservatorium Alkmaar. |
