Alisa Toy

Lecturer, Voice

Award-winning coloratura soprano, Alisa Toy, hails an impressive thirty-year performing and teaching career. Her soloing opportunities include with the Palouse Choral Society, Washington Idaho Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Mississippi State Symphony Choir and Orchestra, the Columbus Choral Society, and the Greeley Chorale and Philharmonic Orchestra. Internationally, Alisa soloed in Great Britain, Canada, Pakistan, and Italy, including a concert for Pope Benedict XVI with the Rome Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Alisa most-recently enjoyed performing Haydn’s Missa in Augustiis (Lord Nelson Mass) with the Washington State University choirs and orchestra along with the Palouse Choral Society. Alisa also enjoyed premiering Kevin Padworski’s Vox Crepusculum in 2022 with the Palouse Choral Society. Some of her past favorite soloing opportunities include Mozart’s Requiem and Krönungsmesse (Coronation Mass), along with multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah, and Judas Maccabeus. Opera and musical theatre roles include Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Gertrude in Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel, Maria in Bernstein’s West Side Story, and Grace in Strouse’s Annie.

As a choral conductor, Alisa currently serves as the Assistant Conductor of the Palouse Choral Society and served as the Artistic Director for the Columbus Choral Society for seven years. She frequently serves in her church as a soloist, choral conductor, and organist/pianist. Memorable performances for her include the world premiere of John Purifoy’s Chronicles of Blue and Gray in New York’s Carnegie Hall, and the world premiere of Benjamin Harlan’s The Seven Last Words of Christ in New Orleans. As a conductor, Alisa has studied and performed with Dr. Mack Wilberg, Artistic Director for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Richard Elliot, principal organist for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, as well as Dr. Edith Copley, Regents’ Professor and Director of Choral Studies at Northern Arizona University.

As a collaborative pianist, Alisa performs regularly with students and professionals. She particularly enjoyed performing in concert with world-renowned violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker. She accompanies choral sectional rehearsals, church services, and regularly performs her own repertoire at recitals.

Alisa holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting from the University of Idaho and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Mississippi University for Women. Alisa enjoyed teaching K-12 music for several years in public and private schools and enjoys teaching voice and piano through her private studio, Singingtoy Studio.