Mary Frances Conover
Lyric Coloratura Soprano
- Upcoming -
"Cobbs Carnival of Dreams"
as Lenore
Midsummer Scream- Long Beach, CA
July 27-28
Piano/Vocal Concert w/ Marilyn Breeze on Piano
Grace Lutheran Church, H.B.
Sun. Aug. 25 @ 2pm
Schumann's
"The Mighty Casey"
as Elsa Blake
Lyric Opera of Orange County
March 2025
Beloved for having "effervescent notes," "impeccable comedic timing," and
"witty, vivacious charisma;" Lyric Coloratura;
Mary Frances Conover captivates Southern California audiences from both the opera and the musical theatre stages, and is known for her roles as the soubrette, character actress and comic ingénue. She studied music-vocal performance at Chapman University, and has performed in some of Southern California's and the nation's prestigious landmarks, and has made appearances as a vocalist at the Disneyland Resort,
performed in seasonal shows at Knott's Berry Farm, including a part of the original cast of Ghost Town Alive!, and seasonal shows at the Bird Cage Theatre.
In addition to singing with the choruses of Pacific Symphony, and Pacific Opera Project; Mary Frances' past professional roles include: Adele
(Die Fledermaus) and Mystery (The Faerie Queen)
- a peek at Mary Frances -
Opera Chapman, Maguelonne Pictardu (Cendrillon) at Lyric Opera of Orange County, Frasquita (Carmen) at Landmark Opera. Other roles include Despina (Così fan tutte/Opera Scenes) at Angels Vocal Art, both Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore) and Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Claire Holmes (The Secret Garden), Anna Held (Tintypes), and Cosette (Les Misérables).
And In 2019, Mary Frances made her Carnegie Hall debut singing the role of Despina Così fan tutte in An Evening of Opera under the baton of Kristof Van Grysperre.
In addition to working in live entertainment, Mary Frances is an accomplished photo model, and poses for domestic and international fashion lines, along with known photographers in Southern California, Japan and regions of Western Europe. Mary Frances is known for her classic, "pin-up" style of modelling. Additionally, she is revered over Las Vegas and Southern California for her classic, classy, and iconic portrayals of Marilyn Monroe.
Mary Frances was born and raised on the "Island of romance," Santa Catalina Island in the city of Avalon. In fact, it is rumored that her family home was once the home to a newly-married Norma Jean Baker (before becoming Marilyn Monroe). Mary jokes that she literally got "born into the role."
From a young age, Mary Frances always had a passion for live performance, originally her passion was in dance, and in musical theatre. She recalls growing up watching MGM musicals everyday, her particular favorites starred Kathryn Grayson and Shirley Jones. She dreamed of growing up to model her career after the two silver-toned sopranos, which may have sparked her flame for her ultimate passion to be a classical vocalist. Her early training began in dance, and musical theatre voice. She attended the Huntington Beach Academy for Performing Arts (APA) program and received multiple performance-based awards for her portrayals of Young Cosette (Les Misérables), Mrs. Tottendale (The Drowsy Chaperone), and Sister (Damn Yankees).
In her "free-time" Mary Frances loves staying active; both physically, and within her community. She loves reaching out and supporting children and young adults in the special needs community. She is also an advocate for the juvenile diabetes community. A type 1 diabetic from the age of 17, she learned quickly that diabetes is no cake-walk. Because of her condition, she loves staying physically fit and active.
Mary's performance background was originally in dance, and as a child dreamed of being a Rockette, but slowly realized that her true passion included the elements of music and voice. Although dance is no longer her primary focus, she loves being cast in a dancing role every opportunity she gets. Lately, she has indulged further into her fancy of becoming active in figure skating, roller skating, and aerial silks, and keeps active at the gym 5 days a week.
Mary Frances is faith-driven, and devoted to lovingly sharing her art with the objective to spark and inspire, and to give something that will stay with her audiences for a long time.
Her mission statement is
"Using my talents, abilities, and energy for the good of all, in the glory of God's name."