The Wish Prince / Teachers / Students and Parents / Rotary Clubs / Donors
Performance Biography
Janet Chvatal is living her dream as an American-born classical singer, artistic director, producer and author, living and working in Germany. Born in 1964 in Florida, and raised in Beaverton, Oregon, Chvatal began studies in composition and piano at the age of five, and voice lessons from the age of fourteen. She attended Boston University from 1982 -1986 on a four-year music scholarship. At Boston University, she trained in opera, conducting, song interpretation and performance including master classes with legends Leonard Bernstein and Jose Van Dam. In 1986, she graduated from Boston University summa cum laude.
In 1987-1988, Chvatal received a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship for study abroad. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Beaverton, she traveled to Europe and completed her graduate work in opera, operetta and musical at the Hochschule fuer Musikund Darstellende Kunstin in Vienna, Austria.
Chvatal’s professional debut came early in 1984, at the age of 20 as “Louisa” in the 25th anniversary of the longest running musical on Broadway, “The Fantastiks”. She made her European debut in Vienna as “Christine” in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera”, and performed the role from 1990-1992. Leading roles in musical and in opera followed throughout Europe as well as concerts with symphony orchestras in Sweden and in France. Swedish composer, Thomas Haglund, composed the piece “Miroirs” for Chvatal in 1991, which was premiered by Chvatal at the Helsingborg Swedish Music Festival. From 1994-2004 she appeared in the USA, Europe and in Canada in Duo with classical guitarist Scott Kritzer, including highlight performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York and the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany. She has appeared in gala performances with baritone Bryn Terfel, conductor Daniel Barenboimand, as a soloist with the Cirque du Soleil and pop legend Gino Vannelli, at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Ms. Chvatal has recorded with BMG and SONY records and appeared in commercials for both Nike and Adidas.
Chvatal’s transition from performer to author and producer began in 1998 with the establishment of her own music label, MIRAMONT Records and the formation of two production companies: SECRET COUCH PRODUCTIONS (USA/2005) and SUITE31 PRODUCTIONS (Germany/2008).
Artistic Supervisor, Producer, Author
In 2004, Chvatal returned to Germany to act as artistic supervisor for the world premiere production of the musical “Ludwig²”. Following her production work backstage, Chvatal was invited onstage to create the leading role of the legendary historical Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, known to Europeans as “Sissi”. “Ludwig²” celebrated its premiere in March of 2005.
Since 2006, Chvatal has continued to co-produce and author musicals, live concert series and CD recordings for both the American and European markets. She has worked with Irish director Conall Morrison and currently collaborates with Disney, acting as creative supervisor for music, script and target scene development, including projects with Broadway puppet and costume designer Michael Curry (Lion King) and Hasbas Entertainment. Her current musical production: “The Wish Prince” is the world’s first “Musical-Adventure-Journey”– a two-hour lake expedition on a ship, with scenes onboard as well as on shore. Chvatal collaborated with British film composer, Nic Raine for the musical which first opened in 2016 and takes place on the Forggen Lake each August, directly in front of Neuschwanstein Castle.
Chvatal wrote her first children’s book “The Wish Prince” and began a charity project for Bavarian children called:“Let’s Live Our Dreams”which combines literacy, music and goal setting – putting tools into the hands of children, parents and caregivers to aid them in setting goals and achieving them together. The project targets children from Kindergarten through 3rd grade. To date, the project has reached over 5000 children, and includes a book for every child and live performances and workshops in elementary schools throughout the Bavarian region.
Her dream is to return to her home town to “give back”– to partner with the Rotary Club of Beaverton and bring “The Wish Prince” literacy and educational project to children in Beaverton, Oregon.
For further references please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Chvatal
websites: www.letsliveourdreams.com OR www.thewishprince.com www.derschwanenprinz.com
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