Jesse Preis

Jesse Preis
(they/them)

Jesse Preis is a Portland-based composer, tenor, pianist, and teacher originally from Emblem, Wyoming, whose compositions have been described as “hypnotic music” (Lorin Wilkerson, Oregon ArtsWatch). They hold an MMus in Vocal Performance from West Virginia University and both a BMus in Piano Performance & Pedagogy and a BArts in Vocal Performance from the University of Montana.

A composer for many different types of ensembles, Jesse’s compositions have been performed and/or recorded by Renegade Opera, Portland Symphonic Choir, the Northwest Civic Orchestra of Powell, WY, and pianist Nikos Syropoulos. While composing, Jesse aims to write music that combines tradition and melody with innovation and storytelling.

As a performer, they have collaborated with Renegade Opera as a pianist on works such as La clemenza di Tito (2022) and She Loves You Back (2023), they have performed with the Lutheran Chorale Association, the Portland Symphonic Girl Choir, the Portland Symphonic Choir, and the Portland Choir and Orchestra, as well as having collaborated with other church and community choirs in Oregon, West Virginia, and Montana. As a tenor, Jesse has appeared as Eisenstein in Orlofsky’s Party (Renegade Opera), Perry in Orfeo in Underland (Renegade Opera), Parpignol in La boheme Warhola (Pittsburgh Festival Opera), the First Priest and Armored Guard in The Magic Flute (WVU), and roles in numerous opera scenes productions.

For more information, visit www.jessepreis.com.