Taylor Ott is an performing artist and Associate Education Director with New Orleans Opera Association, working with students in workshops and masterclasses. She also performs in NOOA’s children’s opera Little Red Riding Hood and with their outreach programming. Known for her esoteric sensibilities, Miss Ott creates shows that incorporate high art in digestible sizes for an immersive and inclusive experience. Social consciousness through art is a major focus for her and shines through her work in content, themes, and diversity.
Miss Ott was the programmer, director, and producer of Re/visions, a performance series in New Orleans, from Spring 2017- 2018. In 2018 Miss Ott premiered her original musical, Ghost of a Chance. She not only starred in the one act but was the composer, lyricist, play-write, and one of the producers. The show was well received and Miss Ott is currently writting another two sister shows to accompany it.
One of her more recent venture has been an on going project of sight specific performances around the world. The songs are picked for the place or the time reflecting history, political climate or atmosphere.
Miss Ott graduated with her Master’s of Music at Mannes College The New School for Music in New York City studying with Amy Burton and Susan Woodruff Versage. She received her BM graduating 1st Class Honors from Trinity College of Music, London, where she was awarded the TCM Trust Silver Medal for Voice, and the TCM Trust Scholarship. Miss Ott has performed in master classes with esteemed artists such as Susan Bullock, Louise Winter, Marni Nixon, Richard Jackson and Eugene Asti.
Miss Ott’s recent performances include a one woman show, The Choices We Make, at The Duplex Cabaret Theater and other cabaret music and musical theater at notable venues like the Neue Gallery, The Black Box at Joria Studios and the Mannes Concert Hall. She also performed and directed scenes with The Mannes Opera Young Artist Program, including: the title role of Cendrillon, 2nd lady in Die Zauberflöte and directed scenes from Die Zauberflöte, L'elisir, and Le Rossignol.
Miss Ott's full roles include: Mother and Grandmother in Little Red Riding Hood, with New Orleans Opera, Nola in Waterworld the Musical, with Below Sea Level Productions, Sam in Ghost of a Chance, Below Sea Level Productions, Anna Surratt in Lincoln and Booth, with Golden Gate Opera, Side by Side by Sondheim with TCM, Arminda in La Finta Giardinierawith with Opera at Home, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Nova, 2nd woman and 2nd Witch in Venus & Adonis, and Dido & Aeneas with Hampstead Garden Opera, The Devil in Cinderella, or the vindication of Sloth with Bitesize Opera, Mrs. Fiorentino in Street Scene with East Gate Opera, and in June 2009 she also sang in the world premiere of Flat Pack: An Opera in IKEA Wembley, which was filmed by the BBC and reviewed in Opera Now, The Times, and The Independent. She has performed scenes in the past form Werther as Charlotte, Don Giovanni as Donna Anna, Die Fledermaus as Adele, and The Saint of Bleeker Street as Desideria.
Miss Ott has worked with composers premiering the work of Chris Jeffries (Kaleidascope Eyes: Song for Busby Berkley, 2006) and Tyler Alden (Savage Asia, 2007). In 2010, and 2009 she also work shopped a chamber and orchestral piece for the exciting young musical theater and contemperary classical composer, Oliver Payne. Then in 2011 the up and coming musical theater composer, Theo Jamieson wrote the song, “I should be sleeping” for Miss Ott’s specific dramatic and vocal capabilites.
In 2008 Miss Ott started a company of undergraduate students called Puzzle Piece Opera (PPO) which was dedicated to performing 20th century one act operas as well as comic opera in the standard repertoire. Miss Ott has directed A Hand of Bridge by Samuel Barber, Cinderella, or the vindication of sloth by Stephen Oliver, Don Giovanni in 50 Minutes, playing Donna Anna, and Die Zauberflöte in 50 Minutes. Puzzle Piece Opera had also put on a production of Die Fledermaus in 50 Minutes directed by Jose Gandia where Miss Ott played Adele. PPO is still a performing company at Trinity College of Music and will hopefully be passed down to a new student every 2 years.