For the past twenty-five years, Barbara Harris Kovacs has enjoyed a thriving performance, teaching, and conducting career.  Audiences have praised her musicality, her dramatic interpretation, energy and versatility.  As a soprano soloist, Ms. Kovacs has performed at the Wien Theater in Connecticut, the Gates Family Recital Hall in West Chester, and for numerous recitals, concerts, and events throughout the Northeast.  She has studied with Dr. Thomas Houser, International Master Teacher of Singing; Dr. Betty Jones of the New York City Opera; Mr. Perry Price; and Dr. Jane Wyss.  Ms. Kovacs won honors at the regional National Teachers of Singing competition in Stratford, CT, and has sung in several opera and musical theater productions, including “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “Pirates of Penzance.”  She has also sung in performance as a soloist with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and in concert as soprano soloist with the Immaculata Symphony Orchestra.  Ms. Kovacs has served as the choral conductor/director for several adult and children’s choirs, having studied advanced Choral Conducting with Dr. David DeVenney.  For several years Barbara served as adjunct Professor of Voice at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Ms. Kovacs is a member of the Music Department of the Kent School (www.kent-school.edu), a private boarding school located in Kent, CT.  She is the Choral Program Director, managing and conducting five choral ensembles.  She is also a vocal, piano, and organ instructor, a classroom teacher, and the Chapel Music Director/Organist. Barbara also sings and plays keyboard with the Kent School Faculty rock band - just for fun. 

Barbara currently is the vocalist/pianist for Indigo Sway, a five-piece jazz quintet (www.indigoswayjazz.com). 

Indigo Sway

Jazz singing

Concert - Kent School

Choral Conducting

On Broadway with Les Paul

Though she is a classically trained vocalist and pianist, Barbara enjoys performing several different styles of music, including jazz, rock, and blues. Ms. Kovacs has sung jazz with the legendary Les Paul at the Iridium Theater on Broadway in NYC, and has performed at The Bitter End in NYC. Barbara was the featured vocal coach on MTV’s “Viva La Bam,” and for six years was the jazz vocalist for the Philadelphia-based swing bands, The Swing Kings and Big G and the Cool Cats.  She has performed often at the Norwalk Oyster Festival in Norwalk, CT.

Vocal Coach on MTV's "Viva La Bam"

Ms. Kovacs is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of West Chester University, having earned a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance in December 2008; she is also a Summa Cum Laude alumnus of Western Connecticut State University, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Performance and in Communications.  She has composed, recorded, performed, taught and conducted various styles of music throughout the Northeast, and is a current member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, NATS, MTNA, CMEA, and ACDA.  She currently sings and plays the piano with a jazz combo called Indigo Sway (www.indigoswayjazz.com). Mrs. Kovacs currently resides in Litchfield County, CT, with her husband and two sweet daughters, ages 6 and 11, along with their little dog, Molly.