hargrave
DESIRÉE
"It’s my wish that each student that I teach feels safe, heard, and encouraged by me as their instructor. I promote inclusion and diversity in my learning space, as it is very important to me that people know that they have a place in this world and that they – and their art – matter."
VOICE FACULTY
about desirée
Desirée Hargrave is both an active resident performer and educator in the Northeast Ohio area. A graduate of Malone University, Desirée received her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance in 2018. Desirée has had the opportunity to perform and teach not only nationally, but also internationally. During her college career, Desirée studied voice under Dr. Cynthia Wohlschlager and Ashlee Mills Gray, conducting under Dr. Jon Peterson, and piano under Mr. James Oakley. She served as the Student Conductor for the Malone University Chorale and Chamber Choir from 2016-2018 and was an active member of the Malone Opera Theatre under the direction of Dr. Wohlschlager. Desirée has debuted original operatic works such as “Beneath Suspicion” by Dr. Jesse Ayers.
Desirée’s love for performance and education began at an early age. Her parents often talk about how she could be found teaching her younger siblings how to read and write from the age of four. She comes from a family of musicians, and grew up learning to sing in church with her family. From there, Desirée participated in band and choir throughout her intermediate and high school years.
Desirée currently teaches elementary General Music and Choir in Canton, Ohio and has done so for two years. She has also performed in many theatrical opportunities over the years - some of her most notable roles are Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar, 2019) Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Norte Dame, 2018 and 2022), as well as recently performing in the popular cabaret series, “The Broadway Princess Party” with Benjamin Rauhala, Laura Osnes, Courtney Reed and Susan Egan. In 2017, Desirée met Alexandre Marr (Owner and Head of Piano at AMI) and began performing with him in his Cabaret Project Series for the next few years (The Cabaret Project - A 21st Century Theatrical Revue, Hungerlust, Cabaret for a Cure). Desirée also currently works as a character performer for Castle on a Cloud Entertainment.
Her teaching style involves training students with Classical technique and showing students to apply it to every style of music- whether their interest is Pop, Gospel, Opera, Musical Theatre, or Jazz.