Peggo Horstmann Hodes is widely hailed as a “versatile, vivacious and warm-hearted singer” who “dazzles and engages” her audience. Singing from her versatile repertoire, from contemporary classical to jazz to love songs, Peggo is a “magnificent, moving” performer.
Peggo loves teaching as much as performing. She created the Vibrant Voice workshops to help singers and non-singers alike explore, release and reclaim their voice. Connecting voice and breath with heart and spirit, Vibrant Voice is a way to discover deeper layers of ourselves, who we really are, and how to sing and express that in life. With master’s degrees in Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory and Elementary Education from Lesley College, Peggo was the Voice Department Chair of Concord Community Music School for fifteen years. Peggo has taught hundreds of people how to sing. Currently, Peggo is the conductor of Songweavers, a 150+ women’s a cappella chorus that performs music from many ethnic traditions, accompanied by rollicking drums.
Recordings
Peggo has recorded more than 9 CDs, including her latest, Peggo: In Love, which is a compilation of jazz love songs with happy endings, released on Big Round Records. As an interpreter of the American Songbook, Peggo explores new horizons that fuse her love of folk, Broadway, contemporary classical, and jazz.
Classical
As a classical soloist, Peggo has sung with the Boston Civic Symphony, NH Symphony, Granite State Symphony and numerous Chorales throughout New England. Peggo has premiered and recorded some of her favorite contemporary pieces, including “brave, bright cry” songs of e.e. cummings by William Fletcher, “A Light Staccato of Souls” and “Militello Songs” by Lawrence Siegel, and “Jack and the Blues” and “Symphony No. 4 … War and Peace” for soprano and orchestra by Thomas Oboe Lee. From Messiah to Art Songs, Peggo makes the music come alive with her vital presence and expressive performance.
Education
M.Mus., VOCAL PEDAGOGY, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
M.Ed., ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, Lesley College, Cambridge, MA
B.A., Human Development, Colby College, Waterville, ME
Vocal Study with Shirlee Emmons, NYC; Patricia Stedry, Boston; William Fletcher, NH; Susan Clickner, Boston; Gerry Martin, Boston
Continuing Education workshops with Bobby McFerrin, David Darling, Eloise Ristad, Don Campbell, Ysaye Barnwell
Healing Sounds Intensive Certified
