HANNAH C COMIA
Updated Spring 2024
Based in the NJ/NY area, Hannah performs regularly as a pianist. She has appeared at the Kosciuszko Foundation, Classic Lyric Arts (CLA) Berkshires summer Mozart festival and Italian bel canto festival in Novafeltria, the Arabia-Kaikuu Festivaali, the Helsinki Musiikkitalo, Paavalinkirkko, the Civic Morning Musicals concert series, and the Finnish Wagner Society. Hannah also works as a music director and assistant conductor. Past productions include Dido and Aeneas, Sweeney Todd, All Shook Up, Heathers, Godspell, and Songs for a New World.
An avid recitalist and academic, Hannah uses her programs to educate and engage audiences on various topics. In April 2023, she gave a recital with Civic Morning Musicals highlighting piano music of national composers from Eastern European countries, celebrating the musical identities of Ukraine, Finland, and Poland. Prior to this, she completed a creative arts fellowship in Helsinki, Finland, studying the roles of Finnish and Filipino song on political independence in both countries. In 2021, she was awarded the SU Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Work for her presentations on the works of composer Betty Jackson King. Hannah’s scholarship and performances have been supported by the American Scandinavian Foundation, Syracuse Graduate School, Classic Lyric Arts, the SU College of VPA, the Finlandia-Italia Ry, the William Paterson Collage Concert scholarship, and SAI Philanthropies, Inc.
Hannah also enjoys performing new and contemporary music. In the past she has worked with, and premiered works by composers Raphael Fusco, Miika Hyytiäinen, Brittany E. Boykin, Jonathan Reid, and Jeffrey Kresky.
Photography by Christine Baruc
Hannah has delved into other avenues as a singer, songwriter, and arranger. As a choral singer, she has performed with groups at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Basilica di San Marco, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Salzburg Cathedral, St. John's the Divine in NYC, La Madeleine, and Macerata Teatro. As a songwriter, her music is inspired by a variety of artists, genres, and styles, aided by her training in jazz and classical voice at William Paterson University. Hailed as a "fan favorite with an incredible voice" by Sofar Sounds, Hannah has performed for audiences at venues in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington D.C. Her most recent release "Normal People" is available now for streaming.
A sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, Hannah has served as president and treasurer of the Theta Kappa chapter at William Paterson University. Additionally, she has given sessions at Province Day and written for Pan Pipes, the SAI quarterly publication. Hannah is a member of the Northern NJ Alumnae chapter of SAI and the Beta Iota chapter of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.
Hannah serves on voice/piano faculty at William Paterson University, on music ministry staff at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, and has served on accompanying faculty at the JCC Thurnauer School of Music and voice faculty at the JCC MetroWest Triple Threat Summer Theatre Camp. As a freelance pianist/coach, she has worked with singers and instrumentalists in programs at The Sibelius Academy, New York University, Mannes School of Music, the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Syracuse University, and Metropolia UAS.
Hannah has trained at William Paterson University, Syracuse University, Metropolia UAS, and the Sibelius Academy. Her piano teachers include Steve Heyman, Carl Patrick Bolleia, and Soo Yeon Cho.