Ernie Higgins Jazz Band Singer in Picnic (World Premiere Opera by Libby Larsen)

Fronting the band in good style was mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis.

- Tim Lindeman, Greensboro News & Record (4/4/2009)

Ernie Higgins Jazz Band Singer in Picnic (World Premiere Opera by Libby Larsen)

Act I was opened dramatically with sultry lyric mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis...

- William Thomas Walker, Classical Voice of North Carolina (4/2/2009)

Carmen in Carmen

"The rich, powerful mezzo-soprano of Cheryse McLeod in the title role offered a convincing portrayal of the many sides of Carmen, from her flirtatiousness and fickleness to the dark side of her character, revealed in her unfaithfulness to Don Jose and her pursuit of the torero Don Escamillo. McLeod's voice moved effortlessly from laughing flirtation to her frank expressions of interest in most men whom she encountered; and her expressions of Carmen's fiery emotional reactions when her motivations were questioned filled the hall with stunning vocal power."

- Martha A. Fawbush, Asheville Citizen-Times (1/31/2005)

Hansel in Hansel and Gretel

"Cheryse McLeod...produced rich lyric-mezzo sound...and gave endearing characterizations, moving well under Wendy Taucher's sensible direction."

- David Shengold, Opera News Online (11/18/2004)

Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor

"The best of the others was Cheryse McLeod's rich-voiced Alisa."

- David Shengold, Opera News Online (3/28/2004)

Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus

"I was delighted with the bored aristocrat of mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod in the pants role of Prince Orlofsky;... Her fake accent was good, her use of her lower range made the pants role more convincing than usual and her body language was in character."

- William Thomas Walker, Classical Voice of North Carolina (2/24/2002)

Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus

"Cheryse McLeod sings the prince's part in her clear mezzo-soprano voice."

- Abe D. Jones Jr., Greensboro News & Record (2/24/2002)

Agnese del Maino in Beatrice di Tenda

"[Cheryse] McLeod has a rich, large voice..."

- Elizabeth and Joe Kahn, Classical Voice of North Carolina (2/8/2002)

Agnese del Maino in Beatrice di Tenda

"Cheryse McLeod brings to Agnese a big, clear mezzo with a striking stage presence."

- Roy C. Dicks, Raleigh News & Observer (2/7/2002)

Calliope in Orpheus in the Underworld

“Orpheus’ mother, Calliope, was sung by Cheryse McLeod with a winning tongue-in-cheek seriousness.”

- Tim Lindeman, Greensboro News & Record (4/1/2001)

The Secretary in The Consul

"Cheryse McLeod's singing of the secretary was excellent and perfectly efficient, and her proper and dispassionate demeanor was well suited to the role."

- Tim Lindeman, Greensboro News & Record (4/1/2000)