If you’re a journalist, you can find short bios and photos on my Press page.
Cecelia Otto (AKA “Cece”) is a classically trained singer, composer, educator, and writer. This ends up being too long to write on letterhead and business cards, so she chooses to call herself a “Professional Artistic Journeywoman”.
Her education background in the arts is exemplary. She has earned an Interdepartmental Dual Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and Composition from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. Ms. Otto is the only recipient of this degree in the University’s history. Her studies have also taken her to Cork, Ireland where she studied the Irish language and Irish Traditional music at the University College Cork where she obtained and Irish Studies Certificate. At Macalester College, in St. Paul, she also obtained two Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Music and Linguistics. She has taught Music at both the University and Community College levels, and has also had private students in voice.
Cecelia is a classically trained Mezzo-Contralto who has performed in venues all over the world as both a soloist and in ensemble. Her Masters’ recital has amassed hundreds of CD sales. She has composed over ten classical music pieces which were performed live in Denver, CO and in St. Paul, MN. Cecelia was also accepted into two weekend residencies with the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, IL for memoir and travel writing. She has done academic research in in such topics as Bilingualism in Music, Epicene Pronouns, and Agency and Authorship in Contemporary Music.
It is her feeling that her multiple degrees have not spread Cecelia thin, but made her more focused and dedicated to the music that is all around us. It is truly her second language.
She has lived and traveled all over the world, but currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband.