About Anissa Clay Zelaya

Anissa Clay Zelaya is a soprano located in Northeastern Virginia. In May 2024, she received her MM from George Mason University studying with Professor Patricia Miller. She portrayed Madame Goldentrill in Mozart’s The Impresario and W.A. Mozart in Steven Stucky’s The Classical Style- An Opera (of sorts) with George Mason Opera. Anissa portrayed Rosalinda in George Mason Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus in 2023. She has performed Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Musetta (La Boheme), and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro) in a scenes performance with George Mason Opera in Fall 2022. 

In May 2022, Anissa graduated with a BM in Voice Performance from Baldwin Wallace University, studying with Dr. JR Fralick. She performed Countess Almaviva in Baldwin Wallace University’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro in March 2022. Anissa performed Zelda '18 in The Ghosts of Gatsby, a partnership with Baldwin Wallace and Cleveland Opera Theater as part of the National Opera Association (NOA) conference in January 2020. Anissa was an apprentice with Pittsburgh Festival Opera during the summer of 2020, performing Countess Almaviva in their young artist scenes program.

Anissa has placed in vocal competitions throughout the country. Most recently, Mrs. Clay Zelaya was a semifinalist at the Classical Singer Vocal Competition in Washington D.C. She also at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Competition in Knoxville, TN as a semifinalist in Category CL-9. Anissa has placed 1st in CL-9(A) at both the Virginia NATS competition and the NATS Mid-Atlantic Regional competition in 2023 and 2024. Anissa also placed 3rd in CL-7A in the Ohio NATS competition.

Anissa is also the soprano section leader at the Chevy Chase United Methodist Church, where she has performed since January 2023. During her time at CCUMC, Mrs. Clay Zelaya has performed solo selections from Handel’s Messiah (Rejoice, greatly, and Come unto Him”), Faure’s Requiem (Pie Jesu), and Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate (“Alleluia”).

Anissa views the study of voice as a holistic endeavor, where to sing well is to have an understanding and control of one’s body, thoughts and spirit.  For her students, she starts with the basics of body alignment and breath before a note is ever sung in a lesson.  As Anissa’s student, one will learn about the whole body and how the body aids in vocal production, allowing them to see whatever they desire!