Shelly Traverse

Lyric soprano Shelly Traverse has been noted as a "scene stealer, charming the audience with her voice and stage presence, both lovely and unaffected" (Seattle times). Ms. Traverse recently starred as Euridyce in Seattle Opera's intimate production of Orpheus and Euridyce by Gluck under the baton of Maestro Stephen Stubbs. Additional Seattle Opera credits include Chan in Charlie Parker's Yardbird sung with "maximum power and great control" (bachrack.com) and her "break out" performance as Hero in Beatrice and Benedict.

In recent seasons, Shelly has performed Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia and Valencienne in The Merry Widow with Tacoma Opera, Pamina in The Magic Flute and Annina in La Traviata with Vashon Opera, and as the Soprano soloist in The Little Match Girl Passion with Eugene Opera.

Equally at home in many genres, Shelly has performed the roles of Johanna in Sweeney Todd with the Renton Civic Theatre, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music at Second Story Repertory theater. She is a founding member of The Living music ensemble, a chamber group committed to performing works by living composers who were recently featured on King FM’s Northwest Focus Live.

Ms. Traverse holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and completed her master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

In the 2022-2023 season Shelly will sing in the chorus and cover Gianetta in The Elixir of Love and will perform Annina in La Traviata both at Seattle Opera.