Karissa Burkhardt is a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in vocal performance, musical theatre, dance, and elementary education. She has been performing since she was five years old, when she first sang in the children’s chorus of the opera Carmen with Chamber Opera Chicago, and later played the leading role of Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Since then, she has performed leading roles such as Esther in Meet Me in St. Louis with Theatre Cedar Rapids, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, and Maria in The Sound of Music, and in many productions with TCR, City Circle, Chamber Opera Chicago, and Theatre West.
Karissa was selected as a member of the Iowa All-State Choir for four years and the National Choral Directors Honor Choir for three years. She was also a member of the top show choir for three years, as well as the dance and vocal captain. She was awarded the National Choral Directors’ Award at West High and received the highest scholarship at the University of Iowa School of Music and Iowa Center for the Arts.
Karissa loves working with kids and is excited to have the opportunity to teach voice lessons!
